PBA Trades, Releases, Sign-ups, Rumours (vol. II)

[rikhardur]

The previous thread (http://forums.interbasket.net/showthread.php?t=4300) contained too many pages, please continue here.

[ankle breaker]

santos and baguion are now playing for coke?

[darkwind]

santos and baguion are now playing for coke?

Rodney Santos, who last played with Bry. Ginebra, is now with Coca-Cola, while Froilan Baguion was released by Coca-Cola and was picked up by San Miguel

[Sakamoto]

Cyrus Baguio will be traded to SMB, he will be suiting up his new uniform after the elimination phase. This was according to NBN sports.

[The_Big_Cat]

Cyrus Baguio will be traded to SMB, he will be suiting up his new uniform after the elimination phase. This was according to NBN sports.
I wonder who will Red Bull get from this trade if this materializes.
Remember, SMB has already prolific shooting guards Dondon Hontiveros and Lordy Tugade plus rookie sensation Bonbon Custodio.

[nardy]

I wonder who will Red Bull get from this trade if this materializes.
Remember, SMB has already prolific shooting guards Dondon Hontiveros and Lordy Tugade plus rookie sensation Bonbon Custodio.

Based on the wish list of the previous posts ...... my guess would be
it's either

http://www.pba.ph/images/comprofiler/magnolia/seigle.jpg

Danny Siegle

or

Eman Samigue

http://www.pba.ph/images/comprofiler/magnolia/eman.jpg

but the guy who wants out of SMB is ....

http://www.pba.ph/images/comprofiler/purefoods/pingris.jpg

Marc Pingris


What do you think ????

[The_Big_Cat]

If I would have to take a guess it would have to be either the aging Dondon Hontiveros or Marc Pingris. Danny Seigle would have to be the most unlikely to be traded to Red Bull.

[nardy]

http://images.gmanews.tv/gmanewstvlogo.jpg

Guiao unperturbed by trade buzz about Red Bull star
12/11/2008 | 07:46 AM

MANILA, Philippines – Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao is used to seeing stars come and go on his team.

That’s why he’s not visibly affected by trade buzz reportedly involving another one of his marquee players.

http://www.pba.ph/images/comprofiler/redbull/baguio.jpg

The fiery mentor shrugged off rumors involving star swingman Cyrus Baguio, who is reportedly being wooed by Barangay Ginebra and Coca-Cola.

“I cannot confirm nor deny this trade rumor because I don’t have any knowledge about it," Guiao said. “All I know is that Cyrus is attending our practices and he’s still part of the team."

“I am not affected by this trade rumor as I don’t see it helping my team," added Guiao, whose squad suffered eight straight defeats, the longest losing skid the franchise has incurred since joining the league in 2000.

Red Bull snapped that slide with a 100-80 win over Alaska on Wednesday but the Barakos are still alone at the cellar with a 4-11 record.

Baguio is considered to be Red Bull’s only remaining superstar. The team has unloaded several vital cogs through the years – Kerby Raymundo, Willie Miller, Enrico Villanueva, Larry Fonacier, Lordy Tugade, Junthy Valenzuela and only recently Mick Pennisi.

Despite losing talented players, the Barakos have always advanced past the elimination round. In fact, they’ve gone on to the semis the past seven conferences, a tribute to Guiao’s unconventional style that has landed him the job as coach of the national team to next year’s FIBA Asia Men’s Basketball Championship.

Ginebra is reportedly eyeing Baguio as some of the Kings’ stars have been placed on the injured list, including Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand.

– Rey Joble, GMANews.TV

[nardy]

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Thursday, December 11, 2008

Burger King wants to enter pro league
by Rey Joble


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BURGER King, a company jointly owned by several prominent sportsmen/businessmen and one of the teams competing in the Philippine Basketball League, has expressed interest in entering the Philippine Basketball Association.

And if it’s true that the Red Bull franchise is for sale, Burger King might grab this opportunity to enter the country’s premier professional basketball league.

Lito Alvarez, one of the co-owners of Burger King, told Standard Today that their group is open to the possibilities of joining the PBA. Burger King is also co-owned by Manuel Pangilinan and Ricky Vargas of Smart and PLDT, Bert Lina of Air21 and Wilson Young of Tanduay.

“Part of our interest is to own a team in the PBA,” said Alvarez. “The PBL is our starting point, then eventually, we will enter the PBA.”

But whether Red Bull is for sale or not is the biggest question.

“Are they selling the franchise? If it’s true the franchise is for sale then we have to wait for the offer. But right now, there were no fillers yet given to us,” added Alvarez, also the president and team manager of the Air21 Express.

But while the co-owners of Burger King are closely associated with Air21 and PLDT, the team won’t be branded as a sister team of the Express of the Lina Group of Companies and the Tropang Texters of the PLDT.

“Our business in Burger King is a personal investment of the five of us, Bert, MVP, Ricky and Wilson. Unlike Talk N Text and Air21, which are company-owned franchises,” Alvarez explained.

Meanwhile, with the PBA reaching the tough grind, RP five head coach Yeng Guiao is mulling the possibility of canceling its practice session for the next three weeks.

[ankle breaker]

I wonder who will Red Bull get from this trade if this materializes.
Remember, SMB has already prolific shooting guards Dondon Hontiveros and Lordy Tugade plus rookie sensation Bonbon Custodio.
red bull is used to get future draft picks when they made trades and it was shown in the past. so we will not wonder if cyrus baguio is really traded to SMB and red bull will received a future draft pick in return. looks like it's a sign of red bulls installment surrender and possible exodus in the asia's oldest premier pro league. looks like they don't want good players to be in the dispersal draft later.

[The_Big_Cat]

http://images.gmanews.tv/gmanewstvlogo.jpg

Guiao unperturbed by trade buzz about Red Bull star
12/11/2008 | 07:46 AM

MANILA, Philippines – Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao is used to seeing stars come and go on his team.

That’s why he’s not visibly affected by trade buzz reportedly involving another one of his marquee players.

http://www.pba.ph/images/comprofiler/redbull/baguio.jpg

The fiery mentor shrugged off rumors involving star swingman Cyrus Baguio, who is reportedly being wooed by Barangay Ginebra and Coca-Cola.

“I cannot confirm nor deny this trade rumor because I don’t have any knowledge about it," Guiao said. “All I know is that Cyrus is attending our practices and he’s still part of the team."

“I am not affected by this trade rumor as I don’t see it helping my team," added Guiao, whose squad suffered eight straight defeats, the longest losing skid the franchise has incurred since joining the league in 2000.

Red Bull snapped that slide with a 100-80 win over Alaska on Wednesday but the Barakos are still alone at the cellar with a 4-11 record.

Baguio is considered to be Red Bull’s only remaining superstar. The team has unloaded several vital cogs through the years – Kerby Raymundo, Willie Miller, Enrico Villanueva, Larry Fonacier, Lordy Tugade, Junthy Valenzuela and only recently Mick Pennisi.

Despite losing talented players, the Barakos have always advanced past the elimination round. In fact, they’ve gone on to the semis the past seven conferences, a tribute to Guiao’s unconventional style that has landed him the job as coach of the national team to next year’s FIBA Asia Men’s Basketball Championship.

Ginebra is reportedly eyeing Baguio as some of the Kings’ stars have been placed on the injured list, including Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand.

– Rey Joble, GMANews.TV
This is what Yeng Guiao also said when Junthy Valenzuela was in the bubble. then.

[nardy]

due to the hard times .... the possibility of Red Bull indeed making its last hurrah is almost there. the sad thing is that there might be other teams soon to follow also.

[vanguard]

Is Red Bull really heading into disbanding?

[The_Big_Cat]

due to the hard times .... the possibility of Red Bull indeed making its last hurrah is almost there. the sad thing is that there might be other teams soon to follow also.
If that's the case why not propose Toroman's team to be a guest team in the PBA in two years time? Same as what the Northern Consolidated team was when they were a PBA guest team back in the mid-80s.

Hapee a few years back also wanted to make an entry to the PBA. The PBA playing minus another team would really hurt its competitiveness. Too many players but not enough teams out there.

[ramzaruglia]

Umm, from what I remember, from a newspaper last year, Hapee and Harbour Center wants to join the league also. Now Red Bull is showing signs of disbanding, I hope Sir Barrios had solutions in mind to expand the league to accomodate more talents, and of course, more money. :D:D:D

[nardy]

Harbour Center might no longer pursue Mikee Romero's PBA Dream as they are already committed to the SBP program in which they are one of the companies who would be shouldering the salaries of the players in the National Basketball Pools.

Unfortunately the current global financial crisis not only affected the current PBA teams but also the companies who had previously shown interest in joining the PBA. Let's just hope the recession would not last that long. The problem is that instead of the government making ways to soften the economic blow to the Filipinos, the people in power are more concerned in extending their terms via cha-cha.

Word of advice do not spend unnecessary and protect your savings, we are not yet feeling the pinch since it is the Christmas season and the US Dollars are coming in from our OFWs but the projection is quite bleak next year as a lot of the companies would be doing the retrenchment of employees after the holidays.

[LordOfLeyte]

Harbour Center might no longer pursue Mikee Romero's PBA Dream as they are already committed to the SBP program in which they are one of the companies who would be shouldering the salaries of the players in the National Basketball Pools.

Unfortunately the current global financial crisis not only affected the current PBA teams but also the companies who had previously shown interest in joining the PBA. Let's just hope the recession would not last that long. The problem is that instead of the government making ways to soften the economic blow to the Filipinos, the people in power are more concerned in extending their terms via cha-cha.

Word of advice do not spend unnecessary and protect your savings, we are not yet feeling the pinch since it is the Christmas season and the US Dollars are coming in from our OFWs but the projection is quite bleak next year as a lot of the companies would be doing the retrenchment of employees after the holidays.

Having survived 1997 and 2005, the years of the true war of attrition, 2009
could be another 2006 where both the market and economic outlook seems bearish but productive at the height of off-shoring and out-sourcing.

That aside,

Also means, imports are going to be more expensive.... the PBA could adjust and do without imports.

[Alex07]

is acquiring a new PBA franchise just as expensive as buying a disbanding PBA team?

[chimp]

From Air21 Express to Burger King
Friday, December 12, 2008 12:17:00 PM

Burger King, the majority of which is owned by the Lina Group of Companies, might take over the existing Philippine Basketball Association franchise of the Air21 Express starting next year.

Air21 president and team manager Lito Alvarez said that they will propose to the PBA to transfer the Airfreight 2100 franchise to Burger King as the company is still majority owned by Bert Lina, chairman of the Lina Group of companies.

"We would propose it to the PBA to transfer the Air21 franchise to Burger King," said Alvarez. "Since medyo nakikilala na naman siya, we want to give more exposure this time to Burger King. It's the same thing we did to FedEx then Air21. Now, we want Burger King to be at the forefront of our promotion."

When San Miguel Corp. bought Purefoods in 2001, Burger King was left out before a group of individuals, led by Lina and Alvarez of Air21, Manuel Pangilinan and Ricky Vargas of Smart/PLDT and Wilson Young of Tanduay, took over.

"Part of our plan really is to put up a basketball team. We started it in the PBL and now, we want to continue Burger King's promotion this time in the PBA," said Alvarez.

But while Burger King might take over from Air21's existing franchise, an old member in the PBA, Red Bull, is expected to sell its franchise to teams knocking on the PBA doors for quite sometime.

Harbour Centre and the Lamoiyan Group of Companies, owner of Dazz team in the Philippine Basketball League, have expressed interest in joining the pro league.

Pangilinan, also the chief backer of the Talk N Text Tropang Texters in the PBA, is now reportedly the majority owner of Harbour Centre. It was supposed to buy the Shell Turbochargers in 2005, but the squad dispersed the marquee players to several teams and its supposed buyer lost interest. Rey Joble - Manila Standard Today

[The_Big_Cat]

I think its time for Harbour Centre to elevate themselves into the PBA.

[nardy]

is acquiring a new PBA franchise just as expensive as buying a disbanding PBA team?

Not necessarily, as it depends on the negotiations between the buyer and the old franchise holder, please note the facts below:


While buying an existing franchise may cost less, Eala said there are advantages to purchasing a new franchise even if it is more expensive. For one, the PBA offers terms to pay for a new franchise. If the value of a franchise is P60 Million, the league is willing to give the buyer a period of five years within which to settle the amount. Buying an existing franchise may not allow terms and will likely be on a cash basis. For another, a new franchise may be given concessions or incentives like elevating a maximum of three players from the amateur ranks without going through the draft and choosing veteran players in an expansion draft. Another concession will be to use a salary floor equivalent to P18 Million a year when a team is required a payroll of at least 75 percent of the P30 Million cap or P22.5 Million.


People's Journal said that turnover was approved between P30-40 million, a big drop from the original P60 million the Turbo Chargers wanted The Manila Times, however, reported that it was close to P55 million that Shell wanted. Welcoat put out P60 million as bond for five years, P7 million for participation fee and another P6 million for transfer fee.


After the 2001 season, the firesale began as Tanduay traded Dondon Hontiveros to San Miguel, Jeffrey Cariaso to the new Coca Cola, and Menk to Barangay Ginebra. After this, Tanduay sold its franchise to the Bert Lina and the local franchisee of FedEx for a reported sum of PHP 60-75 million.


Crispa wanted to rejoin the PBA in 1989 but his P300,000 franchise fee offer to Commissioner Rudy Salud was turned down most probably because Floro couldn't make a long term commitment. One of the crucial factors why Floro wanted to rejoin the league was because at that time, Atoy Co wasn't given a contract extension by his mother team Great Taste forcing him to retire from the play-for-pay league. Likewise, Philip Cezar was inked to a paltry one year contract by the Coffeemakers while Freddie Hubalde was struggling to get some playing time with Formula Shell. Abet Guidaben, on the other hand, was just signed up by Alaska.

[nardy]

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Saturday - Sunday, December 13 - 14, 2008

San Miguel Beer walking wounded
By Rey Joble

HAVE we seen the last of the Danny Ildefonso and Danny Seigle in the Philippine Basketball Association?

Ildefonso, a two-time Most Valuable Player, and Seigle, a former Rookie of the Year, have been the face of San Miguel Beer’s dynasty in the PBA. This time around, the old reliables are no longer there either to start the game or finish the job for coach Siot Tanquingcen.

Ildefonso had bone spurs removed from his feet and is still undergoing therapy. He will come back and play next year.

Seigle has an injured back that requires him to sit out the conference. Both players have yet to see action this season.

But the soft-spoken Tanquingcen isn’t bothered at all with the young guns doing a great job in stepping up in the absence of their veterans.

“We’re just peaking at the right time,” said Tanquingcen. “I guess the chemistry is already there.”

But Tanquingcen expects Seigle to be back in six weeks’ time.

Without the two, the Beermen went on a rebuilding stage and loaded their already formidable lineup with superstars like Mick Pennisi and Jay Washington, who were acquired in the off-season. They also took in Bonbon Custodio in the rookie draft.

They joined Lordy Tugade, Dondon Hontiveros, veterans Olsen Racela and Dorian Peña, and Froilan Baguion, the team’s latest acquisition.

Baguion, who was released by Coca-Cola last week to accommodate veteran guard Rodney Santos, made a good impression in his first game as a Beerman.

“I’ve been keeping an eye on him ever since when he was still playing in the PBL and I know his capabilities. It also came at a perfect time as we need to shore up our backcourt and he delivered in his first game,” said Tanquingcen.

[Sakamoto]

Ranidel De Ocampo was traded to Talk n Text in exchange for Don Carlos Allado. Ranidel will be reuniting with his brother Yancy, this was according to NBN Sports.

[bognut]

Ranidel De Ocampo was traded to Talk n Text in exchange for Don Carlos Allado. Ranidel will be reuniting with his brother Yancy, this was according to NBN Sports.

does this trade makes sense?

[C2Hamm]

does this trade makes sense?
does it matter? a lot of trades doesnt make any sense in the PBA. and more will come in the future.

[nardy]

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With recent PBA trade, De Ocampo brothers reunited at Talk N Text
12/16/2008 | 08:08 PM

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MANILA, Philippines - Make that a "Bond of Brothers Part Two" for the De Ocampos.

Ranidel de Ocampo, the six-foot-six member of the national team that will play in next year's FIBA Asia Men's Basketball Championship, will be reunited with elder brother Yancy in the Philippine Basketball Association.

This developed after Air21 and Talk N Text agreed to swap the younger De Ocampo and veteran center-forward Don Allado.

Besides getting Allado, Air21 also acquired the rights to Talk N Text's first-round pick for 2012. Air21 had already locked the rights to San Miguel Beer's future first-round picks for the next three years (2009, 2010 and 2011).

The De Ocampo brothers were former teammates at the Saint Francis of Assisi in the National Capital Region Athletic Association where they starred in a handful of championship seasons for the Doves.

"I told Talk N Text management that Ranidel is a rising star while Don is a veteran. Although they are both receiving maximum salaries, we felt na medyo angat si Ranidel so we got their first round pick as well for 2012," Air21 representative to the PBA board Lito Alvarez told GMANews.TV.

De Ocampo, who has been the Express' main man up front, learned about the trade Tuesday when Air21 management informed him that he will be shipped to the Tropang Texters. He bid his teammates goodbye during practice on the same day, the only team de Ocampo has played for since he was drafted in 2004.

"I told Ranidel to look at the trade positively. He has a chance to shine at Talk N Text. At the same time, I think it's an opportunity for JR Quinahan and Doug Kramer to shine as well," Alvarez added.

The six-foot-six Allado, meanwhile, will be playing for his third team since turning pro in 2000. He played for Alaska Aces before he was traded to Talk N Text.


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‘Tropang’ De Ocampos
Written by Joel Orellana / Reporter
Tuesday, 16 December 2008 21:14

THE De Ocampos are reunited once more.

http://www.pba-online.net/logo/BigTalk%20N%20Text2.jpg http://www.pba-online.net/logo/BigAir21.jpg

Talk ’N Text and Air21 agreed to swap their big men in a move seen as their efforts to enhance their chances for the two automatic semifinals seats in the KFC-Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.

Ranidel de Ocampo joined older brother Yancy in the Tropang Texters lineup in exchange for Don Allado, plus a future first-round pick.

The deal was consummated late Monday evening. It only needs the approval by PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios.

“Losing Ranidel is like losing a foundation,” said Express head coach Bo Perasol.

“He blossomed with the team, a double-double player with an A-1 attitude. He’s the coach’s ultimate player. I don’t know how anybody can fill in his shoes,” Perasol added.

De Ocampo’s arrival fortified the already talented frontline of Talk ’N Text, which boasts of Yancy, Ali Peek, Harvey Carey and rookie Rob Reyes.

The young de Ocampo was Air21’s fourth pick overall in the 2004 rookie draft and had a career average of 13.9 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists. Allado, Alaska’s No. 8 choice in 1999, has career averages of 8.8 points and 6.4 rebounds.

The BusinessMirror learned that Allado, a former De La Salle standout, still attended the practice of Talk ’N Text on Tuesday.

Perasol admitted that de Ocampo was a big loss to the team, especially now that the Express are in a good position for a possible automatic semifinals seat. But he accepted Air21 management’s decision.

“The team understands it is the prerogative of management to do that [trade] and we all respect that,” he said.

Allado’s minutes dwindled this conference with Peek, Yancy de Ocampo, Carey and Reyes sharing playing time for the center and forward positions.

Talk ’N Text and Air21 have been trading partners in the last two years. Jay Washington and Mark Cardona were originally drafted by the Express in 2005 but were immediately traded to the Tropang Texters before that season started.

Renren Ritualo also came from the Express and is also now with Talk ’N Text.

The trading deadline for this conference is on December 26 and there are marquee players who are in the trading block, including Red Bull’s Cyrus Baguio.


http://www.pba-online.net/images/logo.jpg

Ranidel de Ocampo now with Talk 'N Text
16 Dec 2008

Ranidel de Ocampo, running 4th in OPE (Overall Player Efficiency) has been traded to the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters for Center/Forward Don Allado in a surprise move.

http://www.pba-online.net/players/avatar/ranidel-de-ocampo.gifhttp://www.pba-online.net/players/avatar/don-allado.gif

The move strengthens TNT's frontline and will certainly be a big help to Ali peek and Yancy de Ocmpo inside the shaded lane.

Here are the conference statistics of both players prior to the trade.

Ranidel de Ocampo - 36.94mpg (minutes per game), 13.94ppg, 9.94rpg (6th in the league), 3.94apg and 36.0708OPE(4th)

Don Allado - 23.94mpg, 5.25ppg, 6.12rpg, 19.6648OPE

OPE is Overall Player Efficiency™

http://www.pba.ph/images/comprofiler/air/deocampo.jpg
Ranidel de Ocampo 6-5 200 lbs
College Team: St. Francis Doves
Position : Power Forward
Birthdate : December 08, 1981
Birthplace : Tanza, Cavite
Drafted : 2004: 4th overall by FedEx

http://www.pba.ph/images/comprofiler/tnt/allado.jpg
Don Allado 6-6 210 lbs
College Team: De La Salle University Green Archers
Position : Center
Birthdate : June 10, 1977
Birthplace : Manila
Drafted : 1999: direct-hire by Alaska

http://www.pba.ph/templates/rhuk_solarflare_ii/images/web/pba_filler.jpg

TNT BEEFS UP FOR GINEBRA, ACQUIRES DE OCAMPO IN TRADE
San Miguel vs Rain or Shine as 4 teams make final dash for semis spots
Tuesday, 16 December 2008

Determined to make a big push in the homestretch of the 2008-09 KFC PBA Philippine Cup elimination round, Talk n Text acquired on Tuesday Ranidel de Ocampo from Air21 in exchange for Don Allado and a future draft pick.

De Ocampo, a former St. Francis of Assisi mainstay who has just turned 27 on Dec. 8, suits up with the Tropang Texters as they take on the Barangay Ginebra Kings in their penultimate game in the double-round elims Wednesday.
The 6-foot-6 RP team hopeful has moved over to the Smart/PLDT franchise bringing with him his impressive averages of 13.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.1 steals in 16 games with the Express.

De Ocampo has churned out nine double-double games – a league-best number he shares with Sta. Lucia's Kelly Williams, San Miguel's Jay Washington and Purefoods' Enrico Villanueva.

"Losing Ranidel is like losing a foundation. He blossomed with the team. A double-double performer with an A-1 attitude, he's the ultimate coach's player," said Air21 coach Bo Perasol.

Allado, a veteran center, norms 5.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists. Going with Allado in his transfer to Air21 is Talk n Text's first round pick in 2012.

Four of six teams remaining in the hunt for an outright semifinal berth actually figure in a big rumble at the Big Dome Wednesday.

San Miguel Beer clashes with Rain or Shine at 5 p.m. before Talk n Text slugs it out with Ginebra at 7:30 p.m. with each one out to boost its bid for a Top Two finish at the end of the double-round elimination phase on Christmas Day.

The race for the two outright seats in the semis tightened up after Alaska lost its last two games to Red Bull and Barangay Ginebra.

The Aces remain in the lead with a 10-6 win-loss card but the Tropang Texters, the Beermen and the Elasto Painters are now close behind at 9-7. The Sta. Lucia Realtors and the Kings are also breathing down the Aces' neck at 9-8 and 8-7, respectively.

"The entry of Ranidel makes Talk n Text a tougher team. We'll be having a tougher time against them," said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico of their game against Talk n Text.

The Tropang Texters had been on a four-game romp before being stopped on their tracks by the Purefoods Giants Sunday. The Kings, meanwhile, got back in the thick of the fight for the Top Two in winning five of their last six games.

San Miguel and Rain or Shine are wary of one another.

“We have to come into the game with a defensive mind-set and make sure we don’t give up hustle points," said San Miguel coach Siot Tanquingcen.

“This is another big game for us. Mahirap kalaban ang San Miguel and I just hope we continue to play with passion and unselfishly," said Rain or Shine’s Caloy Garcia.

The Beermen and the Elasto Painters are both coming off losses with the former stunned by an Asi Taulava-less Coca-Cola side, 91-105, Friday and the latter whipped by the Tropang Texters, 83-92, Wednesday. (NC)

[nardy]

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Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Harbour reaffirms intention to join PBA
By Rey Joble

HARBOUR Centre is reaffirming its intentions to join the Philippine Basketball Association—either as an expansion team or as a replacement squad—buying an old existing franchise in the pro league.

A highly placed source told Standard Today that Harbour Centre, which was supposed to join the PBA three years ago, is going to provide PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios its letter of intent to join the Asia’s first professional league after successful stints in the amateur league.

“They’ve withdrawn their intentions to apply before,” said a PBA insider, who requested anonymity. “But they are now reaffirming their intentions to apply either to buy an old franchise or enter as an expansion team.”

In 2005, Harbour Centre made known its will to enter the PBA as Shell put its franchise on sale.

But Harbour Centre lost interest when the Turbochargers unloaded players from different teams. Among those marquee players who were dispersed to different teams were Tony dela Cruz, Rich Alvarez, Ronald Tubid, Billy Mamaril and Roger Yap.

With one of the teams reportedly in trouble in financing its franchise, Harbour Centre is signifying its intentions to join.

This time, the company, which is reportedly now owned majority by Metro Pacific of businessman/sportsman Manuel V. Pangilinan, is willing even to enter as an expansion team.

Since 1990, RFM, Pepsi Cola, Tanduay and Red Bull were the expansion teams which entered the pro league.

[nardy]

If Coke and Red Bull get's replaced by Harbour Centre and Burger King .....

Then we would have 3 MVP teams (Talk N Text, Harbour Centre and Burger King), 3 Danding teams (San Miguel, Ginebra and Purefoods) plus Air21, Alaska, Sta Lucia and Rain or Shine.

[reamily]

If Coke and Red Bull get's replaced by Harbour Centre and Burger King .....

Then we would have 3 MVP teams (Talk N Text, Harbour Centre and Burger King), 3 Danding teams (San Miguel, Ginebra and Purefoods) plus Air21, Alaska, Sta Lucia and Rain or Shine.


Add air21 to the other 3 but the rumor is air21 replaced by BK so if it this materialize 4 on 3:D add the RP developmental team if its a guess team

[nardy]

http://www.abante-tonite.com/img2009/tonite_header7.jpg

http://www.abante-tonite.com/img2009/logo/INBOUND2.jpg Dec. 18, 2008 Thursday

In her column, she stated "Salaries are dealayed"

There is this team who is delayed in giving salaries. This does not happen in the past and they were on-time before in paying salaries. Maybe it is because the team is a bit hard-up right now, this might be the reason for the delay in giving salaries.

But wait, can't this be an indication that the team is slowly saying good bye to the league?

[nardy]

Gone were the times when star players would volunteer to team management in getting pay cuts in order for the whole team and company get over whatever financial difficulties that the company is in.

Heard some players are enjoying so much the celebrity lifestyle they are getting that they are even asking for an "increase" in order to support their current "luxury needs" despite knowing several of their team mates just earn a fraction of what they are getting and are actually just making ends meet.

This is pretty sad as this is slowly killing basketball.

[The_Big_Cat]

If Coke and Red Bull get's replaced by Harbour Centre and Burger King .....
Then we would have 3 MVP teams (Talk N Text, Harbour Centre and Burger King), 3 Danding teams (San Miguel, Ginebra and Purefoods) plus Air21, Alaska, Sta Lucia and Rain or Shine.

It is very sad to a PBA basketball fan to see another PBA franchise folding.
But the future is indeed bright if Harbour Centre and Burger King do decide to enter the PBA in two years time.

[nardy]

From what I read from another forum, the salaries of several Teams are delayed for some time. Actually one team has the PBA to thank as they are shouldering it for the time being. One or two teams are seriously considering disbanding after this conference at the earliest. Some of the fil-foreign players are contemplating in going home already.

The problem is the companies who are interested to join the PBA are not that ready to just assume the disbanding teams right now. Maybe next season they might be ready.

[The_Big_Cat]

From what I read from another forum, the salaries of several Teams are delayed for some time. Actually one team has the PBA to thank as they are shouldering it for the time being. One or two teams are seriously considering disbanding after this conference at the earliest. Some of the fil-foreign players are contemplating in going home already.

The problem is the companies who are interested to join the PBA are not that ready to just assume the disbanding teams right now. Maybe next season they might be ready.
Perhaps, the PBA could invite Toroman's team to participate as a guest team if a team disbands after the Philippine Cup. Toroman's squad is composed of collegiate stars and the collegiate season is still far away.

[nardy]

3 to 4 teams in the PBA are reportedly delayed in giving the salaries of players which is resulting on players either saying they are injured or players just doing the motions of the game without an extra effort.

there are also teams in the PBL that are also late in giving allowances to their players.

It is a bleak Christmas to several players as some does not have enough savings to cover the expenses for the holidays. Also heard a lot of the players are having problems with their credit cards.

[mayfel]

Red Bull to ship two key men to TNT?



12/24/2008

Reports yesterday are ripe struggling Red Bull may yet lose another high-caliber players for merely two first round picks in next year’s rookie draft.

Slam-dunking Cyrus Baguio and playmaker Celino Cruz are reportedly set to be shipped to Talk ‘N Text for future first round picks when the 2009 KFC-PBA Philippine Cup playoffs unfold next week.

Although league sources said the trade is almost a done deal, Tropang Texters coach Chot Reyes claimed no knowledge of the negotiation while Bulls’ team manager Tony Chua flatly denied its veracity.

“Kung sa level naming mga managers wala pang usapan,” Chua said. “Ewan na lang sa level ng mga nasa itaas.”

Even those outside the loop confirmed the veracity of the deal, including Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia and a coach from Ginebra who refused to be identified. Ginebra even tried to work on a deal in an attempt to acquire Baguio, but talks bogged down late Monday night.

The deal, which came on the heels of the Ranidel de Ocampo-Don Allado trade, needs the final approval of PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios. But Barrios said nothing has reached his office as of late yesterday.

He also said there is still enough time for both parties to mull over their decision.

“The deadline for the trades is at 12 noon of Dec. 26 — if there will be no playoff,” Barrios said. “If there will be a game on the 28th, then the deadline will be at 12 noon the following day, Dec. 29.”

His last statement refers to the scenarios of tomorrow’s Christmas Day showdown between Talk ‘N Text (10-7) and Air21 (8-9) and Ginebra (9-8) against Rain or Shine (10-7).

If Talk ‘N Text and Ginebra win, then the Tropang Texters will clinch the second spot along with the automatic semifinal slot with pacesetter Alaska Aces (12-6). The Kings, however, would wind up third for an outright slot in the quarterfinals.

Should Talk ‘N Text and Rain or Shine win, meanwhile, they will engage in a one-game playoff for the second spot while Ginebra will face San Miguel in a playoff for the fifth spot and last quarterfinal slot. If Air21 and Ginebra win, Talk ‘N Text and Rain or Shine will vie in a playoff for the second spot while the Kings will take the fifth spot and the Express take the seventh place.

If Air21 and Rain or Shine win, the Elasto Painters wind up second, Talk ‘N Text at third while San Miguel and Air21 will fight for the fifth spot. Ginebra, however, will be relegated to the seventh place.

“We all know that he is really a very good player,” Reyes said. “But the problem I can see right now if ever those talks are true, yung pwesto nya (two-guard) is already filled na sa amin. I don’t know yet how it will affect our preparation.”
http://www.tribune.net.ph/sports/20081224spo1.html

[nardy]

Red Bull to ship two key men to TNT?



12/24/2008

Reports yesterday are ripe struggling Red Bull may yet lose another high-caliber players for merely two first round picks in next year’s rookie draft.

Slam-dunking Cyrus Baguio and playmaker Celino Cruz are reportedly set to be shipped to Talk ‘N Text for future first round picks when the 2009 KFC-PBA Philippine Cup playoffs unfold next week.

Although league sources said the trade is almost a done deal, Tropang Texters coach Chot Reyes claimed no knowledge of the negotiation while Bulls’ team manager Tony Chua flatly denied its veracity.

“Kung sa level naming mga managers wala pang usapan,” Chua said. “Ewan na lang sa level ng mga nasa itaas.”

Even those outside the loop confirmed the veracity of the deal, including Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia and a coach from Ginebra who refused to be identified. Ginebra even tried to work on a deal in an attempt to acquire Baguio, but talks bogged down late Monday night.

The deal, which came on the heels of the Ranidel de Ocampo-Don Allado trade, needs the final approval of PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios. But Barrios said nothing has reached his office as of late yesterday.

He also said there is still enough time for both parties to mull over their decision.

“The deadline for the trades is at 12 noon of Dec. 26 — if there will be no playoff,” Barrios said. “If there will be a game on the 28th, then the deadline will be at 12 noon the following day, Dec. 29.”

His last statement refers to the scenarios of tomorrow’s Christmas Day showdown between Talk ‘N Text (10-7) and Air21 (8-9) and Ginebra (9-8) against Rain or Shine (10-7).

If Talk ‘N Text and Ginebra win, then the Tropang Texters will clinch the second spot along with the automatic semifinal slot with pacesetter Alaska Aces (12-6). The Kings, however, would wind up third for an outright slot in the quarterfinals.

Should Talk ‘N Text and Rain or Shine win, meanwhile, they will engage in a one-game playoff for the second spot while Ginebra will face San Miguel in a playoff for the fifth spot and last quarterfinal slot. If Air21 and Ginebra win, Talk ‘N Text and Rain or Shine will vie in a playoff for the second spot while the Kings will take the fifth spot and the Express take the seventh place.

If Air21 and Rain or Shine win, the Elasto Painters wind up second, Talk ‘N Text at third while San Miguel and Air21 will fight for the fifth spot. Ginebra, however, will be relegated to the seventh place.

“We all know that he is really a very good player,” Reyes said. “But the problem I can see right now if ever those talks are true, yung pwesto nya (two-guard) is already filled na sa amin. I don’t know yet how it will affect our preparation.”
http://www.tribune.net.ph/sports/20081224spo1.html

it is like the Tanduay fire sale all over again ......... in case Red Bull does disband, it would have no star players who could entice probable buyers to get an interest to buy the franchise.

[ankle breaker]

then they will let harbour in and allow them to carry their top 8 players from the amateurs.

[hawke12]

then they will let harbour in and allow them to carry their top 8 players from the amateurs.

I'm just suprised it's not one of the SMC teams that got Baguio and Cruz...

[rhk111]

Red Bull is becoming an embarassment to the league. They should just disband if they really can't afford a PBA team.

When Red Bull was making fire sales the last couple of years, the excuse then was that Guiao has a "system" which had allowed them to win despite losing stars from their team. This conference, they finally reached a point where they can't win anymore despite Yeng Guiao's system.

Now there are reports of delayed salaries, etc., its really sad to see these things happening to the team.

If they don't have the money anymore to support the team, then just quit. It will hurt their brand more if they end up looking like paupers and losers.

[C2Hamm]

then they will let harbour in and allow them to carry their top 8 players from the amateurs.

they can only bring 4 players from the PBL.

[mayfel]

Burger King, Mikee Romero in PBA soon?


By Beth Celis
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 06:35:00 12/24/2008

Filed Under: Basketball, Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Company Information, Joint Ventures


With the entry of San Miguel Corp. in the wireless broadband business, fiercer competition is expected in the PBA, specifically between SMC teams and that of PLDT. The two have become rivals in both business and the PBA.

A joint venture was recently forged between San Miguel Corp. and Qatar Telecom, or Qtel, the giant telecommunications company ranked among the world’s top 20.

No less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo witnessed the contract signing in Qatar between SMC president Ramon Ang and his Qtel counterpart.

* * *

So how will this new business development benefit the Filipino consumer?

According to a source from the food and beverage conglomerate, the advance technology offered by Qtel will not require cell sites. Consumers will also have access to a reliable service provider that offers affordable high-speed wireless broadband and communication solutions.

Qtel, our source informed us, operates WiMax and GSM services in 16 countries. It has a subscriber base of 55 million and a population coverage of 550 million.

Aggressively expanding its scope of business interests, SMC, among other investors, recently bought a third of Meralco shares and is negotiating to acquire Petron Corp.

Meanwhile, San Miguel’s PBA competitor, Talk ’N Text—part of the group that owns PLDT (Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.)—is said to have acquired a major share in Harbour Centre, a port services company previously owned by the Romeros.

Reports have it that PLDT top honcho Manny V. Pangilinan is going into the shipping business.

* * *

The next question you’ll ask, I’m sure, is what happens to Mikee Romero’s plans to join the PBA, a dream he has nurtured for several years now.

From what I heard, it will happen sooner than expected.

There is talk that Harbour Centre will be in the PBA by February next year. Is that too soon?

Frankly, I don’t how it’s going to be done but, according to very reliable sources, Air21 will be known as Burger King in the second conference, which starts late in February or in the first week of March.

Burger King is a unit of the Bert Lina Group of Companies, which also controls Air21.

Among those holding minority shares in Burger King are Tanduay’s Wilson Young, Makisig Channel’s Manny Viray and PLDT’s Pangilinan and Ricky Vargas.

Burger King, when it makes its PBA debut, will be bannered by Air21 stalwarts Arwind Santos and Gary David plus a major acquisition from one of the old teams.

Romero will be on top of the team and may assume the role of governor in the PBA board.

The Linas, I was told, will be completely out of the picture. And so will Air21 governor Lito Alvarez.

If this scenario sounds highly improbable, I agree. But I know for a fact that some of the deals that are supposed to be consummated in February have already been done.

* * *

I haven’t had the time to research another intriguing report. It concerns another PBA team which is rumored to be in negotiations for a change of ownership.

Like Air21, I don’t know for sure if there’s going to be a change of name or a change of ownership. As everyone knows, there are many ways of skirting certain PBA requirements and of reducing the league’s franchise cost.

Just remember, drastic changes are about to occur in the pro basketball league soon.

* * *http://sports.inquirer.net/inquirersports/inquirersports/view/20081224-179709/Burger-King-Mikee-Romero-in-PBA-soon

[nardy]

Red Bull is becoming an embarassment to the league. They should just disband if they really can't afford a PBA team.

When Red Bull was making fire sales the last couple of years, the excuse then was that Guiao has a "system" which had allowed them to win despite losing stars from their team. This conference, they finally reached a point where they can't win anymore despite Yeng Guiao's system.

Now there are reports of delayed salaries, etc., its really sad to see these things happening to the team.

If they don't have the money anymore to support the team, then just quit. It will hurt their brand more if they end up looking like paupers and losers.


The real reason is that the head office of Red Bull refuses to finance the maintainance of the PBA team even though they could afford to sponsor a Formula 1 Racing team. It has forced the owners of Photokina which is the distributor of Red Bull to shoulder the cost and expenses of Team Barako out of their own personal pockets. They are just very passionate with their love for the game of basketball. But now that there is a Global Financial crisis, the Philippine Red Bull franchise is really finding it hard to make ends meet. I pity more the employees of the company who might face retrenchment if ever things does not get any better.

But the bigger problem is that it is not only Red Bull which is suffering from the financial crunch the managements of Sta Lucia, Air 21 and Rain or Shine are also in the same boat while the US Head Office management of Coca-cola is still questioning the wisdom of their participation in the local Pro league. What is compounding the situation is the continuos absence of crowds in the PBA games and low TV ratings. The PBA is now banking on Yeng Guiao's National Team to be successfull in the international competitions in order to generate more interest from the Filipino Public and bring back the audience following that was there during the Crispa-Toyota days upto the 1990s. It is really saddening, I also heard one by one, prominent basketball teams around the world are folding-up and could no longer bear the costs of maintaining a team.

[The_Big_Cat]

If Cyrus Baguio of Red Bull gets to be traded it has to happen on or before the last day of eliminations which is Christmas day.

[saints13]

why not transfer PBA to a more advertisement-oriented channel to create more public interest? if these news were on Saksi or Bandila, then people would be more updated and more eager to watch these PBA games... honestly, if you are an ordinary Filipino for example who doesn't read the newspapers, doesn't read articles and forums in the internet about RP basketball...you really won't bother having interest with the PBA.

[its_eman8211]

Baguio and Cruz is now in AIR21...

http://www.ngetstudio.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1571&PN=292

[asapa11]

Baguio and Cruz is now in AIR21...

http://www.ngetstudio.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1571&PN=292

for who??? Are these signs that Red Bull Barakos are going to Disband?

[nardy]

why not transfer PBA to a more advertisement-oriented channel to create more public interest? if these news were on Saksi or Bandila, then people would be more updated and more eager to watch these PBA games... honestly, if you are an ordinary Filipino for example who doesn't read the newspapers, doesn't read articles and forums in the internet about RP basketball...you really won't bother having interest with the PBA.

You cannot just transfer to any Channel. There was an open bidding but Solar-BTV was the only viable choice. The only other bidder was ABS-CBN which wants the games shown in Studio 23 on a delayed basis. Channel 2 was where the PBA wants its games aired but ABS-CBN reasoned out they cannot yank out the HIGH-RATING Asian Novelas and Fanta-seryes from prime time as the PBA Games as of late had produced very low TV ratings wherein the scheduled first game when aired live is even beaten in the ratings by Cartoons that has been tagalized. There has no interest in the PBA TV Coverage as the last 4 franchise holders (ABC5, IBC13, VIVA and Vintage) had incurred large losses which almost droved the owners to bankruptcy.

Another thing the restrictions imposed by the PBA on the choice of advertisers is already affecting the league. If you notice Beer na Beer, Gin Kapitan, Sinclair Paints, Lipovitan Energy Drink, Carnation Milk, Swift Mighty Meaty Hotdogs, Ayala Land and DHL are seldom or not seen during TV Coverages.

with the decline in public interest in the PBA, it seems in due time it would not be wise business wise to still maintain a PBA Team or not wise to continue with the PBA.

[hawke12]

You cannot just transfer to any Channel. There was an open bidding but Solar-BTV was the only viable choice. The only other bidder was ABS-CBN which wants the games shown in Studio 23 on a delayed basis. Channel 2 was where the PBA wants its games aired but ABS-CBN reasoned out they cannot yank out the HIGH-RATING Asian Novelas and Fanta-seryes from prime time as the PBA Games as of late had produced very low TV ratings wherein the scheduled first game when aired live is even beaten in the ratings by Cartoons that has been tagalized. There has no interest in the PBA TV Coverage as the last 4 franchise holders (ABC5, IBC13, VIVA and Vintage) had incurred large losses which almost droved the owners to bankruptcy.

Another thing the restrictions imposed by the PBA on the choice of advertisers is already affecting the league. If you notice Beer na Beer, Gin Kapitan, Sinclair Paints, Lipovitan Energy Drink, Carnation Milk, Swift Mighty Meaty Hotdogs, Ayala Land and DHL are seldom or not seen during TV Coverages.

with the decline in public interest in the PBA, it seems in due time it would not be wise business wise to still maintain a PBA Team or not wise to continue with the PBA.

The PBA might Fold??....:(:(:(

[mayfel]

Blockbuster deal: Santos to ‘Tropa,’ Baguio to Express?

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3797:blockbuster-deal-santos-to-tropa-baguio-to-express&catid=31:sports&Itemid=65
TALK ’N TEXT (TNT) never stops loading up its roster and the latest could happen to be versatile Air21 forward Arwind Santos via a three-team trade that will also involve Red Bull.

A reliable source said on Wednesday that the deal will be consummated right after the Christmas Day double-header on Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum, or before the noon deadline on Friday for player trades set by the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner’s office.

Who the Tropang Texters will give up in the trade though could not immediately be known.

Cyrus Baguio and Celino Cruz are said to be going to the Express, while former Ateneo teammates JC Intal and Doug Kramer will be shipped to the Barakos. Express guard Marvin Cruz could also be part of the deal, the BusinessMirror learned.

Air21 coach Bo Perasol and Red Bull mentor Yeng Guiao said they have no idea of such a trade, both stressing their respective management have the prerogative over their players.

“I’m not sure about that but it’s always the prerogative of the management [to trade],” said Perasol, whose team faces Talk ’N Text in the opener today of the Philippine Cup.

Guiao, who has been several trades in his team, said he is also not aware of the deal but admitted that he has gotten used to such kind of situation.

“Sanay na naman tayo na may nagbabago sa team ko pero right now, wala pa akong alam sa balitang ’yan,” said Guiao.

The BusinessMirror reported on Wednesday that TNT is eyeing Baguio and Cruz and they are part of a bigger trade for Santos, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2006 draft and the Express’s second-leading scorer with 15.8 points per game.

Baguio will boost the backcourt firepower of the Express that also includes Gary David, the team’s leading scorer with 18.2 points per game. Cruz will be an able back-up for Wynnie Arboleda. Barangay Ginebra and Coca-Cola are the other teams reportedly interested in the services of Baguio.

Red Bull, on the other hand, will shore up its frontline with David and Kramer, both standing at least six-foot-four.

But the biggest winner in the trade is Talk ’N Text, which has already acquired Ranidel de Ocampo from the Express last week for Don Allado and its 2012 first-round pick.

Santos, last year’s Defensive Player of the Year, will beef up the already talented lineup of coach Chot Reyes that includes Jimmy Alapag, Mark Cardona, Yancy and Ranidel de Ocampo and top rookies Jason Castro and Jared Dillinger.

PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios said Red Bull, despite being eliminated early, could still participate in trade as long as it is within the prescribed time to change lineups.

[ricodgame]

Man, I hate these trades.. :mad::mad::mad:

it is not for the good of the PBA anymore..

[ramzaruglia]

This really smells fishy. Giving up star players up on the other teams. Time for Mikee Romero to come in and as Y2J's quote on his entrance video: "Save US."

:D

Happy Holidays!! :p

[its_eman8211]

The big question is why RED BULL give-up... Lordy Tugade, Larry Fonacier, Willie Miller, Junthy Valenzuela, Enrico Villanueva, Mick Penissi, Rich Alvarez and now Cyrus Baguio? Hmmmpppp.... Simply, they can't afford to pay this players anymore... Im not an expert but i think the Red Bull team is now on the end of their season in the PBA, next will be AIR21 or Burger King...

I hope HAPPEE and Harbour will elevate in the PBA this coming year.

[manu_bol]

Man, I hate these trades.. :mad::mad::mad:

it is not for the good of the PBA anymore..


in a way, these trades will create 1 or 2 dominant teams ...

i kinda hate the balance and parity of the league right now...

there should be a dominant team, a team everyone wants to beat. the fans will rally behind the 9 underdog teams and will come to watch the games.

remember when mobiline had taulava? or tanduay had alvarado and menk? everyone watched with keen interest because they want this dominant team beaten.


balance is good, rivalries are better, but having a team fans love to hate is the best

[nardy]

This really smells fishy. Giving up star players up on the other teams. Time for Mikee Romero to come in and as Y2J's quote on his entrance video: "Save US."

:D

Happy Holidays!! :p



Guys before these trades had been happening to the PBA, the Romeros had actually relinquished majority control of Harbour Centre. Manny V Pangilinan actually now owns Harbour. He also has significant holdings in Burger King.

The different team ownerships is getting hit hard by the economic crisis around the world. The different management would obviously try to save majority of the rank and file employees and factory players of their core business instead of the overpaid basketball players.

As I have been posting a long time ago, the PBA really needs to get more interest or something is bound to happen. Now everybody is seeing the repercussion of the continuos decline in gate-receipts and TV ratings.

[rhk111]

I don't think there has been a decline in TV ratings and attendance in the PBA since, say, last year. Its true that the PBA is not as popular anymore as it was in the 80s and 90s, but lately its popularity has been relatively steady.

Am basing this on the game attendances I have seen on TV and when watching the games live. The PBA since last year up to now always has at least 1/4 of the stadium full at either the Araneta, or at Cuneta. Now, 1/4 might not be impressive, but that is at least a couple of thousand people watching the games live every day.

If you watch it on TV, yesterday's game at the Araneta was well attended, at least half full.

The financial problems of the PBA teams now stem from the fact that there is a global financial crisis, set to hit the country hard next year. And when there is belt tightening, then companies prioritize. The first to go, are some aspects related to advertising, like sports sponsorship, for example.

[hawke12]

Even in F1 Toyota disbanded because of the difficulty in maintaining an F1 team... and in Australia's NBL a lot of teams have already disbanded because of being bankrupt.... This global crisis is affecting Everyone... I just hope the PBA won't fold...

[nardy]

I don't think there has been a decline in TV ratings and attendance in the PBA since, say, last year. Its true that the PBA is not as popular anymore as it was in the 80s and 90s, but lately its popularity has been relatively steady.

Am basing this on the game attendances I have seen on TV and when watching the games live. The PBA since last year up to now always has at least 1/4 of the stadium full at either the Araneta, or at Cuneta. Now, 1/4 might not be impressive, but that is at least a couple of thousand people watching the games live every day.

If you watch it on TV, yesterday's game at the Araneta was well attended, at least half full.

The financial problems of the PBA teams now stem from the fact that there is a global financial crisis, set to hit the country hard next year. And when there is belt tightening, then companies prioritize. The first to go, are some aspects related to advertising, like sports sponsorship, for example.


ok if 1/4 of Araneta is good enough with you. Am just used to a standing room only Araneta during the times of Crispa-Toyota upto the 1990s, so that's why am saying I am dissapointed. But it is only this year compared to last year that there is a bit of improvement but based on PBA records gate-attendance in recent years were bad.

[mayfel]

Baguio, Cruz traded to Air21
By Rey Joble

EVERYONE is busy preparing for Christmas. But Air21 and Red Bull were all business as usual.

The Express and the Barakos agreed on a four-player swap on Christmas Eve in one of the many exciting things to happen before the deadline of player elapses tomorrow.

The Express grabbed from the deal high-leaping swingman Cyrus Baguio and cerebral guard Celino Cruz in exchange for two first-round future picks.

Air21 president and team manager Lito Alvarez told Standard Today that getting Baguio and veteran sentinel Cruz made the team formidable yet more complicated in the wing and guard spots.

“We have already addressed our problem on the center spot by getting JR Quiñahan earlier, and Don Allado lately. Now, we have secured the services of talented guards in Baguio and Cruz, making the guard spots more complicated,” said Alvarez.

There were reports that Arwind Santos, Air21’s franchise player, is reportedly being wooed by Talk N Text, but Alvarez said they are not keen on giving up their leading Most Valuable Player candidate last season.

The Express recently agreed to trade Ranidel de Ocampo for Allado and the Tropang Texters’ first-round pick.

“People might think it would be easy for Talk N Text to get Arwind, but he’s our franchise player,” said Alvarez.

By getting the services of Baguio, the Express’ wing rotation has become more congested with Gary David, Arwind Santos, KG Canaleta and JC Intal playing the no. 2 and no. 3 spots.
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=sports3_dec25_2008

[mayfel]

Get ready for Burger King
THE Philippine Basketball Association is headed for interesting times with what may well turn out to be exciting changes in the continuing battle for leadership in the pro league.

But serious questions are likely to arise on the wheeling and dealing by Red Bull team manager Tony Chua, who has systematically presided over the decimation of a once proud and fiercely competitive champion squad, under current Philippine National Team coach Yeng Guiao.

Standard Today, www.insidesports.ph and Viva Sports has learned that the movement of the last two remaining key players from the Red Bull roster to Air21 may have been a prelude to strengthening the Express team prior to its evolving into Burger King.

The original word was that Cyrus Baguio was being shipped to Talk N Text, which has strengthened its lineup with the acquisition of Ranidel Ocampo in a trade for Don Allado. The Texters then flexed their awesome talent with an unmitigated mauling of crowd favorites Barangay Ginebra.

But even as Ginebra believed it had a so-called done deal with Chua on Monday night, the Red Bull manager inexplicably changed his mind and sent Baguio and Celino Cruz to Air21 to the consternation of the Ginebra coaching staff, headed by Jong Uichico.

Although the transfer was supposedly in exchange for future draft rights, nobody buys the story. It followed Red Bull’s regular weakening of its team which has seen its star players, including Enrico Villanueva, Lordy Tugade and Larry Fonacier, traded to San Miguel Beer and later Mick Pennisi, Junthy Valenzuela and Rich Alvarez.

It is no secret that Red Bull has unfortunately come upon some hard times and Chua, who is also the former PBA chairman, has been disposing of players that the big name, big budget teams want.

The Burger King franchise was initially bought by Air21 PBA team owner Bert Lina, with team manager Lito Alvarez as a partner, as well as Wilson Young and Bong Tan of the Lucio Tan group. Lina subsequently invited PLDT-Smart owner Manuel V. Pangilinan and former PBA chairman Ricky Vargas to join the group.

In an overseas telephone conversation with www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports from his Hong Kong office, Pangilinan said he invested 10 percent and that his investment and that of Vargas was a personal investment. “This is because neither PLDT, Smart or Metro Pacific had any business interest in Burger King, which is not within our expertise.”

Pangilinan said Mikee Romero, who owns the Philippine Basketball League champion team Harbour Centre, was keen on joining the PBA. He was sure that Romero, who “doesn’t like to lose,” will help build a very strong team, under the Burger King banner.

Pangilinan welcomed these developments, even as he made it clear that he was not interested in acquiring another team aside from Talk N Text.

Alvarez revealed that Pangilinan, who is acquiring Romero’s Harbour Centre port operations, had also invited the young businessman to join the group.
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=sports2_dec25_2008

[mayfel]

i'm a bit confused on what is happening right now in the pba..
first,the barakos traded away their main man cyrus baguio as well as celino cruz to the air21 express..maybe it is a sign of of red bull may disband after this season hope not
second,the express will change their name to burger king next conference but the intriguing fact is manny pangilinan,the talk n text owner,is also a part owner of burger king then now the burger king and tnt may considered as a sister team right??
third one is,the harbour center is keen on making it to the big league on what way they will be in the pba..it is in the form of acquiring an existing franchise in the pba or they will come to the pba as an expansion team??
let's say that the harbour successfully make it to the pba next season or the next one..manny pangilinan is also part owner of harbour so if it will happen,talk n text,burger king as well as harbour will be sister teams,following the footstep of purefoods,ginebra and san miguel
making more than half of league's team owned by just 2 person
mvp and cojuangco,yes lina still owns the burger king and romero owns the harbour but mvp is their part owner so they are considered as sister teams..
i hope it will not effect the parity in tems of players in the league..

[reamily]

Get ready for Burger King
THE Philippine Basketball Association is headed for interesting times with what may well turn out to be exciting changes in the continuing battle for leadership in the pro league.

But serious questions are likely to arise on the wheeling and dealing by Red Bull team manager Tony Chua, who has systematically presided over the decimation of a once proud and fiercely competitive champion squad, under current Philippine National Team coach Yeng Guiao.

Standard Today, www.insidesports.ph and Viva Sports has learned that the movement of the last two remaining key players from the Red Bull roster to Air21 may have been a prelude to strengthening the Express team prior to its evolving into Burger King.

The original word was that Cyrus Baguio was being shipped to Talk N Text, which has strengthened its lineup with the acquisition of Ranidel Ocampo in a trade for Don Allado. The Texters then flexed their awesome talent with an unmitigated mauling of crowd favorites Barangay Ginebra.

But even as Ginebra believed it had a so-called done deal with Chua on Monday night, the Red Bull manager inexplicably changed his mind and sent Baguio and Celino Cruz to Air21 to the consternation of the Ginebra coaching staff, headed by Jong Uichico.

Although the transfer was supposedly in exchange for future draft rights, nobody buys the story. It followed Red Bull’s regular weakening of its team which has seen its star players, including Enrico Villanueva, Lordy Tugade and Larry Fonacier, traded to San Miguel Beer and later Mick Pennisi, Junthy Valenzuela and Rich Alvarez.

It is no secret that Red Bull has unfortunately come upon some hard times and Chua, who is also the former PBA chairman, has been disposing of players that the big name, big budget teams want.

The Burger King franchise was initially bought by Air21 PBA team owner Bert Lina, with team manager Lito Alvarez as a partner, as well as Wilson Young and Bong Tan of the Lucio Tan group. Lina subsequently invited PLDT-Smart owner Manuel V. Pangilinan and former PBA chairman Ricky Vargas to join the group.

In an overseas telephone conversation with www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports from his Hong Kong office, Pangilinan said he invested 10 percent and that his investment and that of Vargas was a personal investment. “This is because neither PLDT, Smart or Metro Pacific had any business interest in Burger King, which is not within our expertise.”

Pangilinan said Mikee Romero, who owns the Philippine Basketball League champion team Harbour Centre, was keen on joining the PBA. He was sure that Romero, who “doesn’t like to lose,” will help build a very strong team, under the Burger King banner.

Pangilinan welcomed these developments, even as he made it clear that he was not interested in acquiring another team aside from Talk N Text.

Alvarez revealed that Pangilinan, who is acquiring Romero’s Harbour Centre port operations, had also invited the young businessman to join the group.
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=sports2_dec25_20080


May pagtutulungan at pinagtutulungan itong Bugoy este Burger King

trans: Now we are in an exciting pba were power will be match by another power there is no more "siga" in the pba :D:D:D:D:D:D

[ricodgame]

i am still waiting for the statement of Alaska Aces and Sta. Lucia Realtors on this trades. I believe that they mostly questions this kind of trades.

[rhk111]

ok if 1/4 of Araneta is good enough with you. Am just used to a standing room only Araneta during the times of Crispa-Toyota upto the 1990s, so that's why am saying I am dissapointed. But it is only this year compared to last year that there is a bit of improvement but based on PBA records gate-attendance in recent years were bad.

I saw a glimpse of the PBA games in Araneta over at C/S 9 today, and again the attendance is pretty good, at least a couple of thousand people out there, on a Christmas day!!!

[hawke12]

I saw a glimpse of the PBA games in Araneta over at C/S 9 today, and again the attendance is pretty good, at least a couple of thousand people out there, on a Christmas day!!!

They said it was a Sold-Out the First time the PBA did it this Season... I did saw the game on T.V. and it was great to see the Arenata full again...

Story of the Day, I think R. De Ocampo game winning shot against his former team...

[mayfel]

Burger King to pay transfer or franchise fee?
Updated December 26, 2008 12:00 AM


PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios is meeting with legal counsel Melvin Mendoza early next year to discuss the process Air21 will go through in its plan to transfer its franchise to Burger King.

The league officials will discuss whether Burger King will be required to pay a simple transfer fee or a steep franchise purchase fee.

“Off hand, I don’t think there will be a problem (in the franchise transfer). It’s really just about the fees involved,” said Barrios.

“The question is whether Burger King is wholly owned subsidiary, if not totally controlled, by the Lina Group or a subsidiary of another company with the Lina Group having an equity since it would involve different kind of fees,” Barrios added.

Sources estimate a new franchise to be worth no less than P60 million.

Air21 team manager Lito Alvarez has said they intend to play under the banner of Burger King starting next conference.

“We’ve achieved our target with Air21, and we now intend to promote another product under the Lina Group of Companies,” said Alvarez.

Alvarez admitted though that Burger King is not solely owned by the Lina Group. He said among their partners are Manny V. Pangilinan and Ricky Vargas of Smart-PLDT, Wilson Young of Tanduay and Mikee Romero of Harbour Centre.

A governor of another ball club, however, said Burger King can’t easily take over Air21 franchise.

“We’ll scrutinize its papers. The franchise (Air21) is owned by the Lina Group. We have to be sure the Lina Group is at least the majority owner of Burger King,” said the governor.

Alvarez has also announced their plan to acquire fiery Red Bull guard-forward Cyrus Baguio to beef up the team.

The Air21 top official told The STAR trade papers will be forwarded to the PBA office today, formalizing the deal also involving Celino Cruz for future Air21 draft picks
http://philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=426994&publicationSubCategoryId=69

[saints13]

I saw a glimpse of the PBA games in Araneta over at C/S 9 today, and again the attendance is pretty good, at least a couple of thousand people out there, on a Christmas day!!!

I was there in attendance...and knowing that Ginebra will play on the main game, Araneta was jampacked during Christmas :)

[saints13]

Red Bull ready to unload Baguio
Cruz part of trade with either TNT or Air21

By Musong R. Castillo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:57:00 12/24/2008

Filed Under: Basketball, Philippine Basketball Association (PBA)


MANILA, Philippines—Red Bull could be celebrating Christmas without the only star left in its vastly depleted lineup.

Cyrus Baguio is wildly rumored to be heading either to Talk ‘N Text or Air21 as the Christmas Day trading deadline in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup draws near and the Barako already out of contention in the tournament.

Also likely to find himself a new team is reliable Red Bull guard Celino Cruz, who will be dealt to either of the two teams together with Baguio in a package deal.

If the deal pushes through, Red Bull’s depletion will reach a new high.

There have been persistent reports that Baguio and Cruz will be shipped elsewhere before the Thursday deadline.

According to reliable PBA sources, Talk ‘N Text and Air21—which, interestingly, will slug it out in a crucial game Thursday—are the two teams most interested in the Barako pair.

Baguio, who averaged a team-best 18 points per game—10th among top scorers in the KFC Philippine Cup—has been on the wish list of several teams, especially after his breakout season last year when he also led the Barako in scoring.

It is not clear, however, what the Barako will get in return for Baguio.

Red Bull had been involved in previous one-sided trades, including a trio of deals this season that unloaded Mick Pennisi, Rich Alvarez and Topex Robinson.

Another source said it looks like Red Bull is again ready to trade away its two remaining stars for a song.

In the not-so-distant past, the Barako gave up mainstays Enrico Villanueva, Lordy Tugade, Junthy Valenzuela, Kerby Raymundo and two-time MVP Willie Miller in deals that many speculated involved a good amount of cash.

The departure of Pennisi, Alvarez and Robinson last year made Baguio the only remaining big commodity in the once-mighty ballclub.

Cruz, who normed close to nine points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 13 games, is one of the league’s strongest guards at the clutch. He shot close to 40 percent from three-point range in the KFC Philippine Cup.

[nardy]

i'm a bit confused on what is happening right now in the pba..
first,the barakos traded away their main man cyrus baguio as well as celino cruz to the air21 express..maybe it is a sign of of red bull may disband after this season hope not
second,the express will change their name to burger king next conference but the intriguing fact is manny pangilinan,the talk n text owner,is also a part owner of burger king then now the burger king and tnt may considered as a sister team right??
third one is,the harbour center is keen on making it to the big league on what way they will be in the pba..it is in the form of acquiring an existing franchise in the pba or they will come to the pba as an expansion team??
let's say that the harbour successfully make it to the pba next season or the next one..manny pangilinan is also part owner of harbour so if it will happen,talk n text,burger king as well as harbour will be sister teams,following the footstep of purefoods,ginebra and san miguel
making more than half of league's team owned by just 2 person
mvp and cojuangco,yes lina still owns the burger king and romero owns the harbour but mvp is their part owner so they are considered as sister teams..
i hope it will not effect the parity in tems of players in the league..

the linas and romeros are already minority owners of burger king and harbour centre as it was MVP who bailed them out of impending financial colapse of their companies by infusing capital.

It is just Danding and MVP who are willing to have their spare money go to sports. Not many businesses have spare money anymore to sponsor and maintain sports teams. Majority of you does not realize how big the financial crisis is and how it has affected a lot of businesses. Just wait by the first quarter of 2009, by that time we'll see which coutries can still stand-up. A lot of our rich millionaires lost money when the banks the other financial institutions where there money is at had gone bankrupt and they were unable to withdraw what they have deposited and earned thru time. A lot of OFWs and Filipino Migrants were already told that they would be retrenched and majority of whom would be forced to return home.

[nardy]

i am still waiting for the statement of Alaska Aces and Sta. Lucia Realtors on this trades. I believe that they mostly questions this kind of trades.

both also have there own more pressing problems with regards to their own finances than complain what's happening in the PBA. Sta Lucia for one is really in very deep trouble as they have a lot of subdivision units and condominium units which remains unsold or are not under lease.

[mayfel]

the linas and romeros are already minority owners of burger king and harbour centre as it was MVP who bailed them out of impending financial colapse of their companies by infusing capital.

It is just Danding and MVP who are willing to have their spare money go to sports. Not many businesses have spare money anymore to sponsor and maintain sports teams. Majority of you does not realize how big the financial crisis is and how it has affected a lot of businesses. Just wait by the first quarter of 2009, by that time we'll see which coutries can still stand-up. A lot of our rich millionaires lost money when the banks the other financial institutions where there money is at had gone bankrupt and they were unable to withdraw what they have deposited and earned thru time. A lot of OFWs and Filipino Migrants were already told that they would be retrenched and majority of whom would be forced to return home.

very well said sir nardy... the problem is if those teams can't overcome their own financial crisis,they will force to disband their teams in the pba..how sad but it is the reality..i remember my marketing professor..he said that when their is a recession in the economy many investors and companies cut their budget in advertising as well as their budget in manufacturing but their is one company who instead of following the thread in the market,they double their effort in advertising and put money on their manufacturing..then after the recession,the company who double their effort in marketing still stood up while the companies who cut their budget folded up in the market..the reason is the market still knows the company who double their effort in advertising unlike the former.. i hope it will also apply to the teams of pba...it's sad to see the league to have fewer teams coz it will affect our interest and passion in the sports of basketball

[The_Big_Cat]

With Cyrus Baguio's addition to Air21 that I guess will compensate the scoring they will miss from Ranidel De Ocampo.

[mayfel]

With Cyrus Baguio's addition to Air21 that I guess will compensate the scoring they will miss from Ranidel De Ocampo.

the question is can gary david and cyrus baguio can jell together??
they are both 6"1 and playing the 2 guard position so they defenitely sher in minutes and the fact that david wants the ball in his hands more often
i hope coach perasol can address this problem..they going to face the james yap led purefoods in the wildcard and the winner between smb and coke to the last quaterfinals berth..

[The_Big_Cat]

the question is can gary david and cyrus baguio can jell together??
they are both 6"1 and playing the 2 guard position so they defenitely sher in minutes and the fact that david wants the ball in his hands more often
i hope coach perasol can address this problem..they going to face the james yap led purefoods in the wildcard and the winner between smb and coke to the last quaterfinals berth..

I think they can jell together.
Since Baguio is new to the team, we may see him come off the bench.

[mayfel]

I think they can jell together.
Since Baguio is new to the team, we may see him come off the bench.

but they have no time for jelling..as i said in my post that they will facing a do or die game on sunday and if they will prevail they will having their second straight do or die game this time againts the winner of smb and coke

[saints13]

with baguio gone...red bull should really disband...

[nardy]

with baguio gone...red bull should really disband...


they will ..... please do give them the respect to announce it officially. they still have fans who they would need to explain why they have to. Let them finish first this conference. do not be so harsh to red bull, as they have lost a lot of money just to make the filipino basketball fans entertained. the money to maintain the team came from the personal pockets of the filipino owners of photokina as the multinational firm that controls the red bull brand refuses to finance the pba participation of the team.

[saints13]

they will ..... please do give them the respect to announce it officially. they still have fans who they would need to explain why they have to. Let them finish first this conference. do not be so harsh to red bull, as they have lost a lot of money just to make the filipino basketball fans entertained. the money to maintain the team came from the personal pockets of the filipino owners of photokina as the multinational firm that controls the red bull brand refuses to finance the pba participation of the team.

boy you really do feel the need to explain everything...hehehe

[hawke12]

they will ..... please do give them the respect to announce it officially. they still have fans who they would need to explain why they have to. Let them finish first this conference. do not be so harsh to red bull, as they have lost a lot of money just to make the filipino basketball fans entertained. the money to maintain the team came from the personal pockets of the filipino owners of photokina as the multinational firm that controls the red bull brand refuses to finance the pba participation of the team.

Maybe it's time for the PBA teams to reduce the salaries of there players... So that they can maintain a Team... from 350k max to maybe around 200k per month... or maybe lower...

[nardy]

Maybe it's time for the PBA teams to reduce the salaries of there players... So that they can maintain a Team... from 350k max to maybe around 200k per month... or maybe lower...

that's what the teams were proposing but a certain group of players that was led before by Franz Pumaren refuse to listen to reason and is fighting to keep their social status in life where they live in luxury.

If the players does not still agree we might end end up like the Australian league, the NBL, where one-by-one, the teams are declaring bankruptcy and disbanding the teams.

[saints13]

Maybe it's time for the PBA teams to reduce the salaries of there players... So that they can maintain a Team... from 350k max to maybe around 200k per month... or maybe lower...

good idea but maintaining a team is different from maintaining a competetive team.. Red Bull made wonders by staying competetive while staying alive trading players one-sidedly in exchange for compensation, but the magic or the luck they got years ago is not there anymore..as a fan, I think its more practical for a team like that to disband rather than to fall into pieces..

[hawke12]

that's what the teams were proposing but a certain group of players that was led before by Franz Pumaren refuse to listen to reason and is fighting to keep their social status in life where they live in luxury.

If the players does not still agree we might end end up like the Australian league, the NBL, where one-by-one, the teams are declaring bankruptcy and disbanding the teams.

If they continue to fight... They may end up without jobs, and that is worst than taking a pay cut... I do hope the agree in taking pay cut's to save the PBA and other Comercial leagues in the country...

[nardy]

good idea but maintaining a team is different from maintaining a competetive team.. Red Bull made wonders by staying competetive while staying alive trading players one-sidedly in exchange for compensation, but the magic or the luck they got years ago is not there anymore..as a fan, I think its more practical for a team like that to disband rather than to fall into pieces..

the problem here .... if we go with what you are saying, it might be not only the teams that would disband but the PBA itself.

what hawke12 is suggesting is for the very good of everybody. He just likes what most of us want, that is to save Philippine Basketball.

[saints13]

the problem here .... if we go with what you are saying, it might be not only the teams that would disband but the PBA itself.

what hawke12 is suggesting is for the very good of everybody. He just likes what most of us want, that is to save Philippine Basketball.

I wasn't disagreeing with what hawke12 suggested...I was just pertaining to Red Bull..that's all..nothing about Philippine Basketball or whatsoever..just Red Bull. :)

[nardy]

I wasn't disagreeing with what hawke12 suggested...I was just pertaining to Red Bull..that's all..nothing about Philippine Basketball or whatsoever..just Red Bull. :)

I know the owners of Photokina personally and I know what they are currently enduring. They really love basketball and wants to save the team but they just have to do what they have to do. It is not easy to manage a team. Even with a mediocre line-up, thru the years they were still able to compete and were able to even develop so-so players to become superstars but the financial aspect had really caught-up to them.

So you really want the juice, this is the last year of Red Bull and Air21. Sta Lucia and Coke are also questionable. Talk N Text is given a shot in the arm by MVP by the trades to get more talented players, but if after this and still Chot Reyes does not deliver, MVP would rather concentrate on the National Team. Harbour Centre and Burger King both controlled also by MVP would be coming in to try to save the PBA. Happee Toothpaste is having second thoughts of joining due to the financial crisis. With the high amount of maintaining a PBA Team, one of the San Miguel owned-teams might be a let go also. Rain Or Shine is not really doing that well with it's core business and what is keeping the owners from keeping a team is their passion in basketball but the upper management of the company required that the team shouls at least be competitive and if the team would just be a disgrace then there is no reason to keep a team.

The current global financial crisis does not exempt the Philippines, so if the players does not soon agree to pay-cuts in the near future then the future of the PBA would be bleak.

[nardy]

http://sports.inquirer.net/images/masthead01.gifhttp://sports.inquirer.net/images/mast_spo.jpg

Name change may cost millions for Air21
By Musong R. Castillo
First Posted 01:39:00 12/26/2008

MANILA, Philippines—What’s in a name?

Nothing much, really, but in the Philippine Basketball Association, it could amount to millions of pesos.

The change in name of Air21 to Burger King for the Fiesta Cup next year is not as simple as it sounds, with the office of the PBA commissioner having the final say on whether this could be done laterally or with a corresponding fee.

Sonny Barrios explained to scribes Thursday the process which the Express will have to go through, since Burger King cannot be considered just “as another brand” of Air21’s products, hence it is a new PBA team.

Air21 team manager Lito Alvarez told the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Wednesday that the Express will be known as Burger King come the next tournament after their company had achieved all the objectives they set out for in joining the PBA.

In a separate development involving Air21, Cyrus Baguio and Celino Cruz of Red Bull could end up joining the Express before the trading deadline at noon Friday, with the Barako asking for the 2011 first round pick of Air21 and JC Intal in return.

Baguio, Red Bull’s leading scorer with slightly over 18 points a game, is also being sought by Talk ‘N Text. The trading deadline is set at noon in the event that there are no playoffs. Otherwise, the deal could still be approved by the commissioner until noon of Saturday.

“I don’t think there will be a problem (in changing the name),” Barrios said. “It’s really more of the fees. If you buy a franchise, there has to be a fee. There’s such a thing as a simple transfer fee.”

The franchise fee for a new team in the PBA amounts to something like P60 million.

Barrios clarified that the Air21 move cannot be considered as an apples to apples case like what Welcoat did in becoming Rain or Shine this year, or what San Miguel did in the past when it played as Gold Eagle Beer.

“Is Burger King a subsidiary of Air21 or another company where the owner of Air21 has equity?” Barrios asked.

The league’s team of legal counsels, led by board secretary Melvyn Mendoza, has been tasked to look into the matter ever since news of the change leaked out.

“We’re taking a look at the file, because there are some documentary processes involved,” Barrios said. “I really am not familiar with it myself.”


I do agree legally with Barrios but if the PBA is not lenient at this time of financial crisis. It is good MVP is trying to save the team but if the extravagant fees that the PBA is demanding, it could turn-off MVP and the PBA might end-up with one less team.

[nardy]

http://www.journal.com.ph/images/ads_house/online.gif

December 27, 2008 05:56 PM Saturday
Bulls on the way out?
By: Zean Macamay

IS Red Bull on the way out of the PBA?

If you ask its team manager, they’re not.

Signs point otherwise.

“We’re here to stay,” said the Bulls’ Tony Chua right on Christmas Day when the league held a game at the Araneta Coliseum.

But the team that has won three championship titles doesn’t look good these days, releasing key players to other ball clubs, the latest being Cyrus Baguio and Celino Cruz to Air21 early this week in a trade that merely netted Red Bull future first round picks in 2011 and 2012.

Red Bull was the first team eliminated in the current KFC PBA Philippine Cup, finishing with a 5-13 (win-loss) record. It was only the second time that they had ended up dead last in a tournament, and the finish snapped a glorious streak of seven straight semifinal appearances in its eight-year franchise history.

Now, everyone is thinking that the Bulls have no other way but to put their franchise up for sale.

“Our franchise is not for sale,” said Chua.

Red Bull’s practice of letting go big names in its team began two seasons ago. The first one it released was Enrico Villanueva to San Miguel for Rommel Adducul. Adducul did not play a single game and was immediately sent to Purefoods.

Lordy Tugade, the three-point deadshot, followed suit and then Larry Fonacier. Junthy Valenzuela was then shipped to Ginebra before the last of the franchise’s original players – Mick Pennisi – was traded to the Beermen.

Rumors likewise circulated that the Bulls have not been able to fulfill their financial obligations to their players the past two months, with payroll checks that even came directly from their main headquarters in Thailand bouncing.

In a related development, Commissioner Renauld ‘Sonny’ Barrios formally met with Air21 and Red Bull officials yesterday to accept the official documents regarding the last trade of the tournament.

Barrios said that he had some questions on the finer details of the deal, which he had asked the two ball clubs to answer by today. Barrios, though, did not reveal the points he would want to be clarified on.

“I have some questions about the deal but I have to beg off from revealing it,” said Barrios. “I also would want to clarify that Talk ‘N Text is not involved in this deal as some reports would have it.”

Air21, which is looking forward to changing its name to Burger King next conference, acquired Baguio and Cruz merely days after sending national team player Ranidel de Ocampo to Talk ‘N Text.

[hawke12]

Barrios defers OK on Red Bull trade
Saturday, December 27, 2008 7:13:00 AM

The transfer of Cyrus Baguio and Celino Cruz from Red Bull to Air21 hit a snag Friday with PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios deferring a decision pending the two ballclubs' reply to a question he declined to reveal.

Undoubtedly the only remaining stars in the Red Bull roster, Baguio and Cruz will go to Air21 for a song. Red Bull is only asking for the Express' first-round picks in the 2011 and 2012 Drafts.

Barrios refused to say what the question he put forward to the two teams was.

Though it was not made official, the deal involved a cash component, according to other sources.

Cash was not reflected on the official player transfer form that both squads submitted to the league to beat yesterday's transfer deadline.

Even though the cash-strapped Red Bull franchise has been letting go of its top players with reckless abandon, team manager Tony Chua told the Philippine Daily Inquirer Thursday night that "the team is here (in the PBA) to stay."

Chua, the board's chair last year, admitted they have been unloading their marquee names for a fee and that the Baguio-Cruz deal is not any different.

"It's only now (Philippine Cup) that we were not able to justify our actions (of trading away Red Bull's stars and asking for little in return)," Chua said, referring to the Barako's early exit from the season-opening tournament.

"We've proven in the recent past that we could make a contender (of a team) from scratch," he added.

Red Bull failed to make the semifinals of a conference for the first time in the past three seasons and the playoffs for only the second time in the franchise's PBA existence.

The Barako entered the league at the turn of the millennium and quickly established themselves as a force, especially in import-laden tournaments where they already own two championships.

A big part of the reason why Red Bull wound up with just five wins in 18 games was it dealt Mick Pennisi to San Miguel and Topex Robinson and Rich Alvarez to Purefoods for future draft rights.

Before that, Kerby Raymundo, two-time MVP Willie Miller, Lordy Tugade, Junthy Valenzuela and Enrico Villanueva landed in different squads which they helped make even more formidable.

Chua said the Red Bull franchise is not for sale, although there are many companies who have shown interest in acquiring a slot in Asia's first play-for-pay league.

Three years ago, Shell also dealt away its stars to other teams and left itself bare.

It was this Shell franchise -- and its severely depleted team -- which Welcoat, now called Rain or Shine, was able to acquire. Practically left toothless by the trades, the Dragons languished in the cellar in each of their first two seasons in the league.

A repeat of the Welcoat experience is something the PBA board is not keen to see happen again, the insiders said. Chua's assurance, they added, could more or less put the issue to rest. Musong R. Castillo - INQUIRER.net

[The_Big_Cat]

Maybe it's time for the PBA teams to reduce the salaries of there players... So that they can maintain a Team... from 350k max to maybe around 200k per month... or maybe lower...
I have to agree with your post.
There is a global financial crisis and the Philippines will be hit hard next year.

One way is to slash the players' salaries. Management including the coaching staff may need to cut their salaries as well.

[regierr]

RedBull should simply give it up and move back to the PBL.

[The_Big_Cat]

PBA approves Baguio, Cruz trade to Air21
12/27/2008 | 06:00 PM

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) on Saturday gave its approval on the earlier trade consummated between Red Bull and Air21.

The decision was reached by commissioner Sonny Barrios shortly after holding talks with league vice-chairman Lito Alvarez of the Express and the Bulls’ representative to the PBA board Tony Chua.

That meant Cyrus Baguio and Celino Cruz are now formally part of the Air21 Express after the Photokina franchise traded them for draft picks in the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

In a press statement, the league said the trade was approved accordingly after both Alvarez and Chua assured Barrios that their respective teams will address the commissioner’s concerns and will continue to uphold the PBA’s rules and regulations, particularly those pertaining to the team salary cap.

Although rumors of the trade came out as early as last week, the deal wasn’t completed until Christmas Eve.

But the Commissioner’s Office deferred giving the transaction the green light as Barrios stressed he wanted to clarify certain points of the trade. He refused to elaborate on the matter.

Baguio, the high-flying guard out of University of Santo Tomas, will be suiting up for the Express in their wildcard game against Purefoods Sunday night while Cruz is going to play his first game with the franchise should Air21 advances into the quarterfinals.

For Red Bull, the trade was the latest in a series of moves that saw the team unload its star players one after the other.

It first released former Most Improved Player Enrico Villanueva, followed by Lordy Tugade, Larry Fonacier, Junthy Valenzuela and then Mick Pennisi. – GMANews.TV

[DaveMap2007]

Actually of all the team in the PBA as one of my friend which is an ex-pro player tell that Red Bull Franchise is the most "Kuripot" even before the Financial crisis. If a Player ask for an increment the management would simply trade him to another team.

If 4 teams would drop say (Red Bull, Air 21, Coke and Sta Lucia)
If ever this happen can a government intervention be done just like the US government done with the Big 3 Car makers in the US.

Best thing would be sacrifice for the players. Maybe they have to accept cuts and reduce the Bonuses.

[nardy]

Actually of all the team in the PBA as one of my friend which is an ex-pro player tell that Red Bull Franchise is the most "Kuripot" even before the Financial crisis. If a Player ask for an increment the management would simply trade him to another team.

If 4 teams would drop say (Red Bull, Air 21, Coke and Sta Lucia)
If ever this happen can a government intervention be done just like the US government done with the Big 3 Car makers in the US.

Best thing would be sacrifice for the players. Maybe they have to accept cuts and reduce the Bonuses.

the Filipino politicians are more concerned with the cha-cha that would make them stay in power thru term extension.

[The_Big_Cat]

Actually of all the team in the PBA as one of my friend which is an ex-pro player tell that Red Bull Franchise is the most "Kuripot" even before the Financial crisis. If a Player ask for an increment the management would simply trade him to another team.

If 4 teams would drop say (Red Bull, Air 21, Coke and Sta Lucia)
If ever this happen can a government intervention be done just like the US government done with the Big 3 Car makers in the US.

Best thing would be sacrifice for the players. Maybe they have to accept cuts and reduce the Bonuses.

PBA clubs with financial problems needs a bailout or rescue plan.
Like earlier when a Mexican Billionaire rescued Honda F1 team.

[nardy]

PBA clubs with financial problems needs a bailout or rescue plan.
Like earlier when a Mexican Billionaire rescued Honda F1 team.

MVP is the one making the bailout as 2 of his newest corporate endeavors (Burger King and Harbour Centre) would be coming in but as posted by other posters, we need to bear with the PBA turning into a Danding and MVP league.

Sadly, the other Taipans and Philippine Billionaires does not think the PBA is an attractive investment as it was before.

[The_Big_Cat]

MVP is the one making the bailout as 2 of his newest corporate endeavors (Burger King and Harbour Centre) would be coming in but as posted by other posters, we need to bear with the PBA turning into a Danding and MVP league.

Sadly, the other Taipans and Philippine Billionaires does not think the PBA is an attractive investment as it was before.

Burger King is reportedly taking the place of Air21 next year.

nardy, what about Harbour Centre, are they going to enter the PBA as a separate entity or a subsidiary of the other MVP club(Burger King)? :confused:

I'm still confused with the scenarios for Burger King and Harbour Centre.

[hawke12]

Is Redbull staying in the PBA?... I read in some news that Tony Chua the owner of the Redbull Team wants to stay in the League.. That's a good news!!!

[nardy]

Burger King is reportedly taking the place of Air21 next year.

nardy, what about Harbour Centre, are they going to enter the PBA as a separate entity or a subsidiary of the other MVP club(Burger King)? :confused:

I'm still confused with the scenarios for Burger King and Harbour Centre.

some of the current PBA teams especially Rain or Shine is protesting the Air21 name change as allowing a mere change of name would mean Air21 would not spend the same millions ROS paid in order to get into the PBA.

whether it's a separate entity or subsidiary, everybody in the business community knows MVP had actually the bigger capitalist in Harbour Centre and Burger King but Mr Pangilinan is just being modest.

The problem is all about money again as the present teams would benefit if the 2 teams do enter as new franchises.

The local Red Bull owners does really want to have a team in the PBA as they are really passionate about their basketball. But realistically since the company is already having financial difficulty, in due time we would know upto when the team would really last.

[nardy]

Hope our PBA players are also willing to give such a sacrifice:


http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sp/ed/nav08/yahoo_logo.gif
Tue Dec 23, 2008 8:20 am EST

By J.E. Skeets

Real GM: "Mavericks star forward Dirk Nowitzki said he is willing to take less money from Dallas in 2010 to help his team land a marquee player, the Dallas Morning News is reporting. 'Every team is trying to be a player in 2010,' he said. 'Every team is trying to clear money under the cap so they can make a move. I'm very fortunate that I've made a lot of money in this league, even though I've never really played for money. I love the sport. I love this organization. Obviously, I want to win. I won the MVP, and individually, there's nothing really left but winning a championship. If that means I have to play for less money, it's all possible. It's all open.'"

[mayfel]

Hope our PBA players are also willing to give such a sacrifice:

i hope that the bayanihan traits of our forefathers will relive this time around...if not,not just red bull or teams in the pba will be in deep financial crisis but the pba itself

[patay-butiki]

imagine life without the PBA
it's easy if you try
no conflict in scheduling for NT
above the national interest, only sky
imagine all the players
living for NT today.

imagine there's no comissioner barrios
it isn't hard to do
nothing to request or wait for
and no BCAP too
imagine all the players
living life with MVP.

you may say that i'm a dreamer
well i'm not the only one
i hope someday you'll join us
and the Philippines will play as one.

HAPPY NEW YEAR GUYS!!! :D:D:D

[The_Big_Cat]

some of the current PBA teams especially Rain or Shine is protesting the Air21 name change as allowing a mere change of name would mean Air21 would not spend the same millions ROS paid in order to get into the PBA.

whether it's a separate entity or subsidiary, everybody in the business community knows MVP had actually the bigger capitalist in Harbour Centre and Burger King but Mr Pangilinan is just being modest.

The problem is all about money again as the present teams would benefit if the 2 teams do enter as new franchises.

The local Red Bull owners does really want to have a team in the PBA as they are really passionate about their basketball. But realistically since the company is already having financial difficulty, in due time we would know upto when the team would really last.

If indeed Harbour is considering moving up to the PBA, it would be interesting which PBL players will Harbour elevate with them to the PBA.

[grimaze]

Report: Red Bull faces uncertain future after Guiao exit

MANILA, Philippines – Yeng Guiao may have had enough.

Following the latest move of Red Bull to trade star player Cyrus Baguio and reliable back up Celino Cruz, Guiao decided it’s high time to leave a team whose future remains uncertain.

The fiery coach, according to a reliable source, has tendered his resignation as mentor of the Barakos Saturday night.

Team manager Tony Chua, however, asked Guiao to reconsider his decision.


http://www.gmanews.tv/story/141570/Report-Red-Bull-faces-uncertain-future-after-Guiao-exit

[mayfel]

Report: Red Bull faces uncertain future after Guiao exit

MANILA, Philippines – Yeng Guiao may have had enough.

Following the latest move of Red Bull to trade star player Cyrus Baguio and reliable back up Celino Cruz, Guiao decided it’s high time to leave a team whose future remains uncertain.

The fiery coach, according to a reliable source, has tendered his resignation as mentor of the Barakos Saturday night.

Team manager Tony Chua, however, asked Guiao to reconsider his decision.


http://www.gmanews.tv/story/141570/Report-Red-Bull-faces-uncertain-future-after-Guiao-exit

and finally coach yeng cannot take what red bull is doing..they are selling their players to the other ball clubs..i think the pba should look closer to what red bull is doing

[regierr]

and finally coach yeng cannot take what red bull is doing..they are selling their players to the other ball clubs..i think the pba should look closer to what red bull is doing

They are also making the PBA draft irrelevant since they eventually will trade their players.

[nardy]

http://www.journal.com.ph/images/ads_house/online.gif
December 30, 2008 06:02 PM Tuesday

3 teams eyeing Yeng as coach
By: Zean Macamay
YENG Guiao may soon find himself coaching another PBA team after all.

Three days after quitting his job as Red Bull coach, Guiao has been offered by three teams for his services, the most eager of which is Coca-Cola, the ball club eliminated from contention in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup.

An unimpeachable source who requested not to be identified said that two other ball clubs still seeing action have also made their offers to the gung-ho mentor, but declined to name them.

“Coca-Cola is one of the teams that has already inquired for Guiao’s availability,” said the source. “As for the other two, I simply cannot name them at this point in time.”

The Tigers have been booted out from contention in the season-opening tournament, beaten by San Miguel Beer the other night 99-89 in the knockout-style wild card stage.

Coca-Cola, which sacked head coach Binky Favis after winning only one game in its first four matches, ended up with a 7-11 (win-loss) record after the 18-game elimination round. The coach who took the spot of Favis, former MVP Kenneth Duremdes, had a 6-9 record while calling the shots for the Tigers.

Although no official statement has yet been issued by Red Bull and Guiao himself, the 49-year old Pampanga vice-governor has already submitted his resignation to the Bulls’ management during a meeting last Saturday.

Another source revealed that development, saying that Guiao was no longer interested in handling a team that has no direction after trading marquee players to other ball clubs.

Also, Guiao consulted his family before coming into a decision. He was asked by team manager Tony Chua to reconsider his judgment, but the source said that Guiao has no intention of changing his mind.

“Malaki na rin naman ang naitulong ni coach Yeng sa Red Bull,” said the source.

Guiao rewarded the Bulls with three championships – the back-to-back Commissioner’s Cup crowns from 2002 and then the Fiesta Conference title in the 2005-06 season. He also steered Red Bull to seven consecutive semifinals appearances, a league record.

Under the Bulls, he compiled a win-loss record of 245 wins as against 201 losses and has a PBA coaching record of 429-389.

Guiao’s decision to quit from Red Bull was triggered when the team decided to let go of Cyrus Baguio and Celino Cruz to Air21 in exchange for merely first round picks in 2011 and 2012.

But before that, Red Bull was already giving away key players. It began when it released Enrico Villanueva, Lordy Tugade, Junthy Valenzuela, Larry Fonacier, Topex Robinson and Mick Pennisi in a span of two seasons – the core of the ball club that beat Purefoods in six games for the Fiesta Conference crown in 2005-06.

The Bulls finished dead last in the ongoing tournament, winning only five games with 13 setbacks. It was the first time that Red Bull ended up last in nine conferences or since the 2004-05 Fiesta Cup.

“As a coach, he wants to win,” said the source. “But how can you win without the materials. Maski naman anong galing mo na coach kung wala ka namang players bale wala rin.”

Meantime, Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio said yesterday that everything now is A-OK with his superstar player James Yap and defensive coach Koy Banal.

Yap was caught on national television throwing something to the Purefoods assistant coach after being criticized for not doing his part in defense during the team’s wild card encounter against Air21 last Sunday.

Purefoods lost that game, 94-82.

“While the incident caught on tape was unfortunate, let me assure you that it was just a misunderstanding that was aggravated by the heat of the action,” said Gregorio.

“In the end, logic and respect towards each other prevailed over misplaced temper and anger. It is a relief in my part to see them bury the hatchet before we parted ways. Time to move on and move forward.

“Yes, things are ok now. I saw them hug each other and apologies were both accepted.”

[nardy]

http://dynamic2.philonline.com/ManilaStandardToday_photo/new_web_logo.gif
Monday, December 29, 2008

Leave Red Bull alone
By Reuel Vidal

BASKETBALL pundits are raking the Red Bull Barakos over the coals for the latest trade which sent their two best players in Cyrus Baguio and Celino Cruz to the Air21 Express in exchange for Air21’s first-round draft picks in 2011 and 2012.

The howl of protest is because Red Bull seems to be regularly trading its best players to other Philippine Basketball Association teams. The Barakos finished dead last in the past Philippine Cup and their only shining light was the stellar performance of Baguio and Cruz at the guard positions.

Prior to the Baguio and Cruz trade to Air21, the Barakos also sent Lordy Tugade and Mick Pennisi to the San Miguel Beermen. Willie Miller (now with the Alaska Aces) was shipped to Talk N Text a year after winning a Most Valuable Player award.

Purefoods’ best players not named James Yap—Kerby Raymundo, Rico Villanueva, Rich Alvarez, Topex Robinson and Paolo Bugia—are all from Red Bull.

Red Bull shipped these players to other teams when they were playing the best basketball of their careers. Because of this Red Bull practice, there are unsubstantiated insinuations that the team is selling its players to the highest bidder.

There is no PBA rule or local law which prohibits a PBA team from doing that. Even if Red Bull is really selling its players (which, by the way, I believe to be totally false), then they are perfectly within their rights to do so. It’s a perfectly valid business decision.

The players are after all theirs and Red Bull should be properly compensated if they lose possession of these players just like they would be if they gave up any other asset.

Even the competitive balance of the league is not hurt by the Red Bull practice. Notice that the Barakos are regular fixtures in the PBA playoffs. The Red Bull debacle in the past Philippine Cup where they placed dead last is the first time that this has happened to Red Bull in years.

But even so, the league format is such that you cannot discount the possibility of the Barakos winning a PBA title as early as the next Fiesta Conference.

This is because in the next PBA conference with imports, the quality of the import usually decides which team wins championships. And Red Bull has always been blessed with the best imports in the league.

Basically, all Red Bull has to do is get the best import, complement him with a supporting cast of good role players and gun for a PBA title in the second conference.

Because of its decimated lineup, other teams mopped the floor with the Barakos in the ongoing All-Filipino conference but with a good import, the Barakos will be competitive in the Reinforced conference and could just as easily win a title as any other PBA team.

So, to basketball pundits everywhere: Leave the Red Bull Barakos alone. They are honorable men.

PBA: No salary cap violation for Barakos
By Ronnie Nathanielsz

THE Philippine Basketball Association explained that the decision to approve the trade of Cyrus Baguio and Celino Cruz from Red Bull to Air21 was based on the fact that the Barakos, who have been eliminated, have time to comply with the minimum salary cap in the second conference.

PBA legal counsel Melvin Mendoza, in a conversation with www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports, explained that since Red Bull is not competing now and until the next conference they are supposed to meet the minimum requirements. “But in the meantime you cannot impose on a team that is not yet playing.”

Red Bull team manager Tony Chua, the former PBA chairman, who together with current vice chairman Lito Alvarez of Air21, met with commissioner Sonny Barrios and convinced him to approve the Baguio-Cruz trade for first-round draft picks in 2010 and 2011, reportedly assured the commissioner that as soon as they play, they will comply.

Mendoza said that should Red Bull not comply, it’s up to the board to decide on what sanctions, if any, to take.

“Until the time comes that a violation has been committed, there is nothing that we can do,” Mendoza said.

Critics of the trade and the decimation of the Red Bull squad pointed to the fact that Red Bull was the first team to be eliminated from the ongoing conference precisely because of its trading of star players and the almost impossible task of rebuilding the Barakos’ team, considering its current financial situation.

But Chua reportedly answered these critics by saying that they are just building their team. “Wait for us, we may have some problems but we want to still remain competitive.”

Standard Today, www.insidesports.ph and Viva Sports learned that Red Bull is seeking to reorganize and find a partner for the Red Bull team.

The speculation is that Mikee Romero of Philippine Basketball League champion team Harbour Centre will acquire the Red Bull franchise, although reports indicated that the young businessman was buying into Air21, which will become Burger King in the next conference in a move confirmed by Alvarez. PLDT-Smart owner Manuel V. Pangilinan also has a personal investment in the Burger King franchise, along with former PBA chairman Ricky Vargas, as well as Wilson Young of the Lucio Tan Group of Companies, among others.

[mayfel]

Coke’s door open for Guiao
COCA-COLA, one of the teams in search for a new coach, is now opening its doors to applicants.

And one of the coaches the Tigers are going to consider is former Red Bull mentor Yeng Guiao.

Guiao reportedly tendered his resignation last Saturday, ending his eight-year relationship with the Barakos.

Coca-Cola board representative JB Baylon told Standard Today that they haven’t decided about the coaching position of the squad, but would open the doors for possible applicants. And Guiao is one of those they would consider.

“We will open the doors to anyone, including coach Yeng. But whether we can afford him or not is another question,” said Baylon in jest. “He’s a great coach and I won’t be surprised to see him handling another team come next conference.”

The five-time PBA champion reportedly has had enough of seeing his players being traded by the Barakos, the main reason why he decided to leave his squad.

“He has seen enough with these wheeling and dealing and trading of his star players,” said a source, who requested anonymity. “There are times na nasisisi pa si coach dahil akala ng iba may kinalaman siya sa mga trades.”

The same source disclosed that Guiao has reportedly been persuaded by Red Bull management to reconsider his decision. He added that the two-time Coach of the Year awardee would rather concentrate on his duty as coach of the RP Team, which will be playing in five overseas tournament in 2009 before plunging to action in the Fiba Asia Men’s Basketball Championship.

“Chances of coach Yeng returning to Red Bull is very, very slim,” said the source. “The truth is, medyo nasira kasi ’yung winning reputation niya.”

Guiao is the prime candidate for the Tigers’ coaching post. The Tigers are being handled by interim mentor Kenneth Duremdes, whose contract with the team expires at the end of the year.

Baylon said Duremdes will not return as a player, but can still join the coaching staff. Coca-Cola management is set to officially retire his jersey anytime soon.
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=sports3_dec30_2008

[mayfel]

An erosion of principles
BY RONNIE NATHANIELSZ

ANYBODY, who believes that Red Bull team manager Tony Chua has continued to trade his star players until the team has been almost totally decimated of truly competitive talent in exchange for mere draft picks in the years ahead must be, to put it bluntly, naive.

We have been in one way or another involved with the Philippine Basketball Association since its founding in 1975 and have witnessed the erosion of the values and virtues of the pro-league from its glory days to the present time which, in some respects, reflects the degeneration of our national character marred to the bone by insatiable greed and corruption and the abrasiveness and brutal arrogance of some people in power.

This has never been more evident in the world of sports than in the beating up of a golfer and his kids by the son and bodyguards of a Cabinet official who, by all accounts, stood idly by and watched the violence and flagrant injustice.

Red Bull is no longer a competitive team and this is obviously driven home by the fact that it was the first team to be eliminated in the ongoing conference. It’s true that under national coach Yeng Guiao, even with a depleted lineup, the Barakos did well in the past. But that’s when the roster was not totally wasted by Chua in a selling spree that has stained the image of the PBA and, according to some reports, prompted Guiao, who is basically a coach who wants to win, like any self-respecting coach would, to resign.

It is time for those who don’t quite understand the workings of the PBA to realize that merely because a player is under contract with a team, the management of that team can treat him like a piece of meat and sell him if it wishes to as a justifiable business decision. Hell no. The fundamental philosophy of a trade is that the teams involved acquire the services of a player that would fulfill its needs and strengthen its competitiveness. Period.

To consider excellent basketball players as any other asset and to therefore justify the sale is to insult the human dimensions of an athlete. While they are assets, they are assets as players competing in the PBA and as promoters of the product they represent in the marketplace. But the players themselves are not products to be sold in the marketplace.

Trading Cyrus Baguio for a first-round draft pick of Air21 in 2010 can never be even remotely regarded as a justifiable trade in basketball terms, because Baguio has blossomed into one of the finest players in the PBA and because of his talent and performance has been chosen as a member of the national pool.

Taken against the fact that the outstanding young players, who would normally have joined the PBA Annual Draft have now been incorporated into the training pool under Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas project director Rajko Toroman and will be given contracts that would match PBA salaries in order to keep them in harness for the national cause, the pool of genuine rookie talents would be almost totally dried up. So what does Tony Chua expect to get from such an allegedly direct trade? And hasn’t he heard of the tried and tested saying that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush?

We sympathize with Red Bull owner George Chua, a fine gentleman if ever we saw one, whose businesses have come upon hard times making it almost impossible to afford the cost of maintaining a competitive PBA team. It is obvious that the selling of star players by Tony Chua camouflaged by supposed trades was meant to tide the team over a difficult phase.

Tony Chua has been looking to either sell the franchise or to find a partner willing to invest. This is apparently the assurance he gave PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios in order to get the Baguio-Celino Cruz trade approved despite the fact that based on current figures, Red Bull is in violation of the minimum salary cap, although legally it has time to correct the anomaly by the end of the next conference.

Even Mikee Romero of Philippine Basketball League champion Harbour Centre and who has suddenly become visible at the PBA games and was even present at the PBA Press Corps Christmas party, told us that he was not interested in buying a franchise with an almost totally decimated team. We learned that instead, the youthful Romero will move into Air21, which will carry the Burger King name in the next conference and that among the partners who have made personal investments are PLDT-Smart owner Manuel V. Pangilinan and former PBA chairman Ricky Vargas.

For Tony Chua or anyone else to claim that the competitive balance of the league is not hurt by the trades is to turn a blind eye to reality. Even with Baguio and Cruz in the lineup, Red Bull was the first team to be eliminated! Besides, the basic thrust if not strength of the PBA is competitive balance which the Commissioner’s Office is duty bound to seek to maintain. Indeed, we find it hard to understand how both the Commissioner’s Office and the PBA board continue to allow these trades while denying San Miguel Corp. teams the right to directly trade with one another and continues to refuse Purefoods its inherent voting rights. Would the PBA board and commissioner Barrios be amenable to an assurance from SMC that they would maintain competitive balance and that Purefoods would vote independently just as the three San Miguel teams operate independently? Just asking.

When Enrico Villanueva was taken off the Restricted Players’ List based on the dubious reason that he and coach Guiao didn’t get along, we raised serious questions about the justification for taking him off the list because we were aware that he was being peddled allegedly at a substantial price to another cash-rich team before ending up with San Miguel Beer. Now, we have gathered that even the RPL has been totally scrapped which paved the way for the Baguio trade and future trades of marquee players.

We hate to say this but the PBA board and the overall environment of the pro league continues to be ruined by an erosion of principles of the past and a growing failure to adhere to fundamental values and rules and regulations. What a crying shame.
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=sports6_dec30_2008

[SkyWalker]

Coke’s door open for Guiao


“Chances of coach Yeng returning to Red Bull is very, very slim,” said the source. “The truth is, medyo nasira kasi ’yung winning reputation niya.”

Guiao is the prime candidate for the Tigers’ coaching post. The Tigers are being handled by interim mentor Kenneth Duremdes, whose contract with the team expires at the end of the year.

.
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=sports3_dec30_2008

I like that attitude. He's a very competitive guy, but the way he brings down Coach Rajko is something that also gives him negative image. I say he leave politics alone and concentrates on basketball. It'll be great for him. :)

[nardy]

I like that attitude. He's a very competitive guy, but the way he brings down Coach Rajko is something that also gives him negative image. I say he leave politics alone and concentrates on basketball. It'll be great for him. :)


that would be difficult for Yeng as the the Guiaos is a political family. Before he even got involved in basketball, he grew up in a poltical household. And as an ally of the Arroyo government and committed to unseating the current Governor of Pampanga, he has the connections to be noisy.

[ankle breaker]

yeng guiao should instead wait until 2010 and concentrate first in basketball. just let gov. panlilio serve out his term and try to give his share and visions in running pampanga.

[nardy]

yeng guiao should instead wait until 2010 and concentrate first in basketball. just let gov. panlilio serve out his term and try to give his share and visions in running pampanga.


should be but the with the backings of GMA and the Pinedas, Yeng has already led the Mayors of Pampanga in filing for a recall election. The Political officials of Pampanga used mob rule and is ganging up on Governor Among Ed. It's really sad in our country when you are doing the right thing you are almost alone and is outnumbered by the other side and due to numbers, they make the wrong look like a right.

[ankle breaker]

yeng also had some run ins with the lapids who ruled pampanga for almost a decade starting with lito down to mark lapid. but it was with mark where issues came in bunches. however, he didn't succeed and as expected, he will not succeed this time against panlilio. and if the pinedas will indeed take over pampanga, we can say poor yeng. he will lost the legacy built by his father.

[mayfel]

AFTER MEETING WITH FAMILY


Guiao likely to quit Red Bull today


By Arman Carandang

01/02/2009



Would Yeng Guiao reconsider his decision to quit as Red Bull’s head coach?

His words seem final.

“I think wala na ito, ‘go’ na ito” said Guiao yesterday when asked if there are chances he would reconsider his earlier decision.

Guiao revealed he will still bring the matter up with his family and close relatives during their family reunion today.

“Magandang pag-usapan ito siguro with my family. Pero sa akin talaga wala na ito,” he said.

The feisty, smart mentor who is also the coach of the training National team has reportedly tendered his resignation from Red Bull owing to the team management’s “utter lack of direction” in forming a competitive roster.

The Red Bull management was said to have appealed to Guiao.

“It’s hard to imagine that you try to give your all to strengthen the team, only to find out that your good players are leaving because of trades,” he said.

When asked what would make him change his mind, Guiao said: “Gusto ko competitive team. Ewan ko kung kaya pang mapalakas ang team. Baka mahirap at magtatagal pa.”

Guiao has spent eight-and-a-half seasons with Red Bull, leading the squad to two PBA titles. Save for this conference when the team was eliminated, the Bulls were semifinalists for eight consecutive conferences despite lacking in “superstars.”

Yet, despite lacking in big names, the team has not ran out of players for trades, the latest of which involved Cyrus Baguio and Celino Cruz, both consistent performers in the offensive end.

Three teams are reportedly interested to hire Guiao, but Guiao would not confirm it, himself.

“Jobless ako ngayon. Wala pa akong team,” Guiao told the Tribune yesterday.

Guiao admitted receiving feelers from other teams wanting his services, but added “those are mere words from a broker.”

“Officially, wala pa talaga lumalapit sa akin,” he said.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/sports/20090102spo1.html

[mayfel]

Guiao resigns as Red Bull coach
By Nelson Beltran Updated January 02, 2009 12:00 AM
Joseller “Yeng” Guiao was to make his final decision on whether he is staying on or not as a Red Bull coach over dinner with his family last night.

“I’m consulting with the family. By tomorrow (Saturday), I’ll have the decision,” Guaio told The STAR.

Guiao tendered his resignation in a meeting with Red Bull team owner George Chua Saturday but he was asked to reconsider his decision.

“Right now, I’m torn between my emotional attachment with the team and my desire to coach a competitive team. Hindi masama ang pinakita nila sa akin. My concern is that my personal desire hasn’t been addressed. Mas lumala pa with Cyrus Baguio gone,” said Guiao.

“What boss George told me is that we’re reorganizing, we’re rebuilding and we’re staying,” Guiao added.

Red Bull has been badly decimated by the departure of players who were largely responsible for the team’s three title conquests in the league. It was the first team to move out of contention for the championship in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup.

Players now with the other teams are former mainstays Willie Miller, Kerby Raymundo, Rico Villanueva, Larry Fonacier, Lordy Tugade, Junthy Valenzuela, Topex Robinson, Mick Pennisi, Rich Alvarez, Celino Cruz and Baguio.

Speculations are ripe the team is disbanding but the management insists the team is here to stay.

Guiao is thinking of severing his ties with the team, saying his personal desire is not just participating but competing competitively.

Red Bull was the first team eased out in the ongoing PBA tourney, ending the team’s long streak of finishes inside the top four.

Meanwhile, Guiao is calling the national team back for its once-a-week practice on Monday.

“By the semis of the Philippine Cup, baka twice a week na kami,” said Guiao, calling the shots for the RP team seeing action in the SEABA Men’s Championship and the FIBA-Asia Championship this year.

http://philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=428546&publicationSubCategoryId=69

[The_Big_Cat]

So, where will Yeng Guiao end up after Red Bull?
Coca-Cola?

[mayfel]

So, where will Yeng Guiao end up after Red Bull?
Coca-Cola?


but i prefer coach yeng to focus on the national team instead of having a new team to coach.. why?? because he can land a job in any team in the off season so let's be patriotic this around.. only 8 months of handling the national team and after that he can coach anyteam anyteam because it's the sbp's turn and toroman to lead the national team in the rest of the way

[pepman]

Yeng will end again in the TV panel.
As for his stint with the Tigers, Welcome back!

[The_Big_Cat]

Yeng will end again in the TV panel.
As for his stint with the Tigers, Welcome back!
Quite interesting considering that Coca-Cola used to be the RFM Franchise where Yeng used to coach.

[mayfel]

ON THE HUNT FOR NEW TEAM


It’s official: Guiao quits Red Bull


By Arman Carandang

01/03/2009



In what was expected, Joseller “Yeng” Guiao yesterday made official his decision to quit as head coach of Red Bull.

Guiao tendered his resignation last Dec. 27 to Red Bull owner George Chua, but the Red Bull management gave him one week to reconsider his decision but to no avail.

“Final na ito,” said Guiao, who revealed his decision after consulting his family and close relatives during their familiy reunion the other day.

Guiao claimed to have done everything he could for Red Bull, leading the squad to two PBA titles on the course of making eight straight semifinal appearances.

In this conference – Philippine Cup – though, the team was eliminated from the semifinals for the first time in nine conferences, an offshoot probably of the team’s frequent involvement in trades.

“Lahat ng pwede ko magawa ay ginawa ko sa Red Bull, lahat ng tulong. At mismong sila (Red Bull Management) din naman ay malaki ang naitulong sa career ko. But at least mayron tayong mutual benefits sa isat’t isa,” he said.

Guiao said his only concern for Red Bull was the team’s competitiveness.

“Mahirap na i-maintain yung competitiveness ng team,” he added.

Guiao was to inform the Red Bull management late yesterday of his decision.

Guiao somehow felt a bit elated over the management’s promise “that they will reorganize the team, and will continue the tradition the Red Bull has earned through the years in PBA.

Red Bull is said to be a team devoid of superstars, but it always manage to make a good fight in the PBA in the last four seasons. In fact, the Bulls managed to land in the semifinals for eight consecutive conferences, missing only this conference.

And yet, the team never ran out of players to trade.

Red Bull’s latest action involved a trade of Celino Cruz and Cyrus Baguio to Air 21 for future draft picks.

Guiao said he will have enough time to concentrate with the national team, and “yes to entertain if there are offers from other teams.”

“Kung may offers, mapag-iisipan na natin yan. But for now, wala pa. Wala pang official.”
http://www.tribune.net.ph/sports/20090103spo8.html

[mayfel]

there is a rumor that the red bull and yakult will join forces to maintain the red bull squad in the pba.. hope it will happen so that the red bull won't disband... actually it is in tagalog but here's the link

http://abante-tonite.com/issue/jan0309/sports_laykdatan.htm

[mayfel]

'Red Bull will be up there without me'
By Nelson Beltran Updated January 03, 2009 12:00 AM
http://philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=428699&publicationSubCategoryId=69


Even with him gone, coach Yeng Guiao believes Red Bull will regain its old lofty status in the future, owing, for one, to the great attributes of team owner George Chua who he described as a “fighter like me.”

But with uncertainties on where the team is headed at the moment, Guiao has decided, for good, to leave the team he coached for nine years.

“It was the sentiment of everybody (all the members of the Guiao family) that I have done everything I could for the team in nine years I was with the team,” Guiao told The STAR.

“If I were to define my career right now, I would say it was my stint with Red Bull. Not giving less importance on the years before that, but my stint with Red Bull is really the better years in my coaching,” added Guiao, who had previous coaching stints in the pro league with Swift Might Meaty and Pepsi.

Guiao, who won three championships with Red Bull, was to talk to the team owner last night to formally inform him of his decision finalized in a meeting with his family over dinner Thursday.

“I would thank them for the opportunity they gave me to coach the team. I’ll continue to have high respect for them whom I consider like my family,” said Guiao. “I really have no problem with them except that the competitiveness of the team has dipped.”

Guiao firmly believes, though, that the ball club will bounce back.

“I don’t think it (the hard times or the slump) would be permanent. Knowing Boss George, he’s a fighter and he won’t be happy not to regain the team’s competitiveness. Red Bull is not just about me. Red Bull pa rin yan kahit wala ako,” said Guiao.

In the meantime, Guiao said he would devote his time to the national team and the province of Pampanga where he’s the vice governor.

He stressed, though, that he’s open to coaching another team.

“National team at probinsya na muna ako. We’ll see what comes up. If there’s an offer, of course, I will consider,” he said.

Guiao had no legal problem to think about in quitting his job as he’s not bound by a contract with the team.

“Ako nagsabi sa kanila na huwag na kaming mag-kontrata dahil alam naman nila kung saan ang loyalty ko,” said Guiao.

Red Bull officials were not available for comment on Guiao’s resignation and on his replacement.

Guiao himself, however, said that he’s told by the team owner that the team is “just reorganizing, rebuilding and will stay in the league.”

The team has been reduced from championship contender to spoiler following the departures of former mainstays Willie Miller, Kerby Raymundo, Rico Villanueva, Lordy Tugade, Larry Fonacier, Junthy Valenzuela, Topex Robinson, Rich Alvarez, Mick Pennisi, Celino Cruz and Cyrus Baguio.

With a badly decimated lineup, the Bulls were the first team eliminated in the ongoing PBA tourney, winning only five of 18 games in the double-round elimination play.

Before that, Red Bull had always been a force to reckon with, having a long streak of finishes inside the top four.

[mayfel]

Guiao, Red Bull part ways
By Ronnie Nathanielsz

AFTER Red Bull systematically decimated its fiercely competitive lineup by selling its star players and getting nebulous draft picks in return, it has now lost its last vestige of competitiveness with the resignation of head coach Yeng Guiao.

Guiao finally decided to turn down likeable team owner George Chua’s request to reconsider his decision to resign, which he conveyed in a letter last week.

In deference to Chua, who told him they were reorganizing and streamlining their operations, and team manager Tony Chua’s assurance to Philippine Basketball Association commissioner Sonny Barrios that they would remain in the pro league and stay competitive, Guiao decided to quit.

He also indicated he thought things would get better, but instead they got worse.

Guiao said he had been told by the team owner that Red Bull would find a partner for the 2009 season and requested him not to make his resignation public until he had gone back to his family and informed them about the Red Bull plans, as enumerated by George Chua.

Guiao confirmed Standard Today’s opinion that George Chua was a fine man.

“We have no problems between us personally,” said Guiao.

One of the potential partners in maintaining the Red Bull team was believed to be Mikee Romero, owner of Philippine Basketball League champion Harbour Centre.

But Romero told Standard Today he was not interested in the franchise since the team had no stars and the franchise cost was too much. Romero instead is reportedly moving in to acquire a stake in Air21.

Guiao said he is not averse to coaching another PBA team despite his personal sadness over having to leave Red Bull, which he built into one of the most feared teams in the league because of their ability to rise above themselves against stronger teams.

There were reports that Coca-Cola was interested in talking to Guiao as a possible replacement for temporary coach Kenneth Duremdes, who took over from Binky Favis.

When asked about the possibility, Guiao said he was open to talking to any team interested in his services.
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=sports2_jan3_2009

[Alex07]

Based on the wish list of the previous posts ...... my guess would be
it's either

http://www.pba.ph/images/comprofiler/magnolia/seigle.jpg

Danny Siegle

or

Eman Samigue

http://www.pba.ph/images/comprofiler/magnolia/eman.jpg

but the guy who wants out of SMB is ....

http://www.pba.ph/images/comprofiler/purefoods/pingris.jpg

Marc Pingris


What do you think ????

Imagine if Rain or Shine would get these three::rolleyes:

[mayfel]

Imagine if Rain or Shine would get these three::rolleyes:

let's say even without seigle.. the rain or sine starting five will be

c sam eman
f jayr reyes
f marc pingris
g gabe norwood
g sol mercado

what a first five if will happen...

[nardy]

http://images.gmanews.tv/gmanewstvlogo.jpg

Guiao agrees ‘in principle’ to coach Air21
01/07/2009 | 06:20 PM

MANILA, Philippines – Yeng Guiao will be coaching the Air21 Express beginning the Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Conference next month.

Guiao and Air21 reached an agreement Tuesday night.

“In principle, we have agreed," Guiao said. “It’s all about formalizing the deal and tying loose ends."

Guiao, a five-time PBA champion, resigned from Red Bull during the Holidays.

He did not elaborate the details of the Air21 deal but confirmed that his contract is for two years. A formal signing is expected to take place within the week.

With Guiao at the helm, hopes will be high for Air21, which hasn’t won a championship since entering the league in 2002.

Guiao won two championships with Swift (1992, ’93) and three more with Red Bull (2001, ’02 and ’06).

“One thing that made me decide to coach Air21 is because they have the talent and they have the substance," Guiao, also the RP national coach, said. “The team surely will be a contender next conference."

Rhoel Nadurata, a long-time Guiao assistant, is being groomed to join the Air21 coaching staff. Gee Abanilla, another Guiao deputy, may be left behind with Red Bull because he is under contract.

Bo Perasol, who guided Air21 to its best finish in franchise history last conference, will continue to be a part of the Express coaching staff.

[nardy]

http://www.pba.ph/templates/rhuk_solarflare_ii/images/web/pba_filler.jpghttp://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:JE15hCFoXOEhQM:http://pixhost.eu/avaxhome/avaxhome/2008-04-28/kfc_logo_vmed5pwidec.jpghttp://www.pba-online.net/images/pba34pc.jpg
http://www.ngetstudio.com/./news/?id=ed0cf8b0-09ed-4048-805f-ede1f9c2a2ec (http://www.ngetstudio.com/./news/?id=ed0cf8b0-09ed-4048-805f-ede1f9c2a2ec)

Norwood's teammate eyed as Elasto import
Wednesday, January 07, 2009 11:18:00 AM

Rain or Shine has retooled its backcourt by securing the dynamic duo rookies Gabe Norwood and Solomon Mercado.

Now, the Elasto Painters are one big man away from becoming a serious title contender.

A wide-bodied player within the 6'6" height limit, Jai Lewis, who was a former National Football League player, is being seriously considered by the Elasto Painters to become their import in the Reinforced Conference.

http://gazette.gmu.edu/images/jailewis.jpg

Lewis, who is turning 26 next month, is the premier inside force of the Patriots during their Cinderella run to the National Collegiate Athletic Association Final Four in 2006.

Playing power forward, he averaged 13 points and led the team in rebounding with 7.5 caroms per game and blocked shots (31 in one season).

But Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia is not in a rush to secure the services of Lewis as the team is looking at other options and is more focused in its quarterfinal-round campaign against defending champion Sta. Lucia Realty.

"It's too early to decide. But Lewis is a big man and a former teammate of Norwood so he won't feel like a stranger sa team namin," bared Garcia in a text message sent to Standard Today.

Lewis worked to prove he could play in the National Football League as either an offensive tackle or a tight end. He worked out for five teams—the Oakland Raiders, the Philadelphia Eagles, the St. Louis Rams, the Cincinnati Bengals and the New York Giants.

Rey Joble - Manila Standard Today

[The_Big_Cat]

http://images.gmanews.tv/gmanewstvlogo.jpg

Guiao agrees ‘in principle’ to coach Air21
01/07/2009 | 06:20 PM

MANILA, Philippines – Yeng Guiao will be coaching the Air21 Express beginning the Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Conference next month.

Guiao and Air21 reached an agreement Tuesday night.

“In principle, we have agreed," Guiao said. “It’s all about formalizing the deal and tying loose ends."

Guiao, a five-time PBA champion, resigned from Red Bull during the Holidays.

He did not elaborate the details of the Air21 deal but confirmed that his contract is for two years. A formal signing is expected to take place within the week.

With Guiao at the helm, hopes will be high for Air21, which hasn’t won a championship since entering the league in 2002.

Guiao won two championships with Swift (1992, ’93) and three more with Red Bull (2001, ’02 and ’06).

“One thing that made me decide to coach Air21 is because they have the talent and they have the substance," Guiao, also the RP national coach, said. “The team surely will be a contender next conference."

Rhoel Nadurata, a long-time Guiao assistant, is being groomed to join the Air21 coaching staff. Gee Abanilla, another Guiao deputy, may be left behind with Red Bull because he is under contract.

Bo Perasol, who guided Air21 to its best finish in franchise history last conference, will continue to be a part of the Express coaching staff.

Swift coached by Yeng Guiao also won 2 championships in 1995. The MVP season of Vergel Meneses. Boybits Victoria was the starting point guard, Nelson Asaytono was the starting poer forward, Zaldy Realubit was the starting center and Vergel Meneses was the starting shooting forward.

[nardy]

Swift coached by Yeng Guiao also won 2 championships in 1995. The MVP season of Vergel Meneses. Boybits Victoria was the starting point guard, Nelson Asaytono was the starting poer forward, Zaldy Realubit was the starting center and Vergel Meneses was the starting shooting forward.

Correction in 1995 the Swift team is called Sunkist Orange Juicers and their head coach that time was Derrick Pumaren which resulted him winning the Coach of the Year given by the PBA Press Corps. Before the 1995 season, Guiao and then-Pepsi mentor Derrick Pumaren were involved in rare coach for coach trade. Guiao had two forgettable seasons with Pepsi and then-renamed as Mobiline before leaving his coaching position in 1996.

The RFM franchise entered the PBA in 1990, as Pop Cola, joining market rival Pepsi. Guiao was the team's first head coach and led the renamed Diet Sarsi to its first finals appearance, losing to the Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs in the 1991 All-Filipino Finals. In the 1992 Third Conference, Coach Yeng led Swift to their first championship with a 4-0 sweep of 7-Up in the championship. It was also Guiao's first championship in the PBA. In 1993 2nd conference, the Commissioner's Cup, the Swift Mighty Meaties with Guiao on board beat Corporate rival Purefoods for the Championship. Guiao would also led the Mighty Meaties squad to two finals appearances in 1993 and 1994, losing to San Miguel and Alaska.

[The_Big_Cat]

Correction in 1995 the Swift team is called Sunkist Orange Juicers and their head coach that time was Derrick Pumaren which resulted him winning the Coach of the Year given by the PBA Press Corps. Before the 1995 season, Guiao and then-Pepsi mentor Derrick Pumaren were involved in rare coach for coach trade. Guiao had two forgettable seasons with Pepsi and then-renamed as Mobiline before leaving his coaching position in 1996.

The RFM franchise entered the PBA in 1990, as Pop Cola, joining market rival Pepsi. Guiao was the team's first head coach and led the renamed Diet Sarsi to its first finals appearance, losing to the Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs in the 1991 All-Filipino Finals. In the 1992 Third Conference, Coach Yeng led Swift to their first championship with a 4-0 sweep of 7-Up in the championship. It was also Guiao's first championship in the PBA. He would also led the Mighty Meaties squad to two finals appearances in 1993 and 1994, losing to San Miguel and Alaska.

Thanks for the correction. Yes. Come to think of it, it was Derrick.

On the 1990 PBA season you mentioned, I had the pleasure of watching the first game of the 1990 season LIVE at the ULTRA, All-Filipino conference matchup between newcomers Pop Cola against Pepsi. I remember also that Antero "Terry" Saldana was making his comeback in that game as part of the Pop Cola franchise.

[nardy]

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/templates/businessmirror1.0/images/logo.gif

Romero part of BK family
Written by Joel Orellana / Reporter
Wednesday, 07 January 2009 20:57

MIKEE ROMERO is now officially part of the Burger King company.


http://www.harbourcentre.com.ph/images/mikee.jpg
http://dublinrewards.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/_smpimg_medium_burger-king-logo_4c.jpg
And if plans don’t miscarry, the godfather of amateur basketball will serve as the alternate governor of the Whoppers in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) board in the coming Fiesta Conference.

The BusinessMirror learned that Romero has acquired a minority share of the Burger King franchise in the country, thus making him a legitimate official of the squad which intends to take over—in name—the Air21 Express in the Fiesta Cup.

Air21 has requested to the PBA board the transfer of the team’s franchise to Burger King in the next conference but league commissioner Sonny Barrios said his legal team will still scrutinize the papers of the company.

Air21 president and team manager Lito Alvarez confirmed that Express owner Bert Lina owns 60 percent of the Burger King franchise and that they need not apply for a new franchise to the PBA. Besides Lina and Romero, Smart-PLDT’s Manny Pangilinan and Ricky Vargas, and Tanduay’s Wilson Young own minority shares in the hamburger fast-food company.

Alvarez, however, would remain as Burger King governor in the event the team’s proposal is approved by the PBA, and Romero will be involved in the basketball affairs of the team and be the team’s alternate governor to the board.

Burger King intends to make a grand debut in the Fiesta Cup and it would include a new-look coaching staff and a beefed-up roster.

The company has a standing offer to Yeng Guiao, who resigned as head coach of Red Bull. Harbour Centre, owned by both Romero and Pangilinan, head coach Jorge Gallent and consultant Junel Baculi are also in the picture.

[nardy]

http://www.tribune.net.ph/pics/topstories_01.png

Burger King to name Guiao as coach
By Arman Carandang
01/08/2009

Barring unforeseen circumstances, Air21 would be sporting a new look in PBA’s season-ending tournament next month, what with a new coach in Joseller “Yeng” Guiao, and probably, with the team bearing a new name.

In a sudden turn of events yesterday, Guiao has agreed in principle to handle Air21, ending weeks of guessing game that followed after his resignation from Red Bull last Dec. 27.

“We have agreed in principle, and formality na lang ang hinihintay natin,” Guiao told Tribune, adding that only the minor details and the finishing touches are to be ironed out.

“But I don’t see any problem,” added Guiao, who met with Mikee Romero, one of the stakeholders who will run or handle Air21 when it changes to Burger King in the Fiesta Conference slated to tentatively start on Feb. 28.

According to Guiao, some of the minor details he is set to discuss with Romero include the team’s philosophy, the coaching staff he would bring along, and the team’s ambitious bid to duplicate a winning tradition that Romero’s Harbour Centre had achieved in the Philippine Basketball League.

Guiao added they had not touched anything about compensation,” saying “wala naman problema dun.”

“Siguro ang aayusin na lang namin ay kung gaano sa coaching staff ko ang pwede ko madala, yung diskarte sa practice, and probably yung players or team’s competitiveness,” said Guiao, who cited the same reason why he resigned from Red Bull.

In the event that he actually finds himself calling the shots for Air21, it will be a sort of reunion with Cyrus Baguio Celino Cruz, two of his offensive players Red Bull had traded with Air21 in xchange for future picks.

Air21, meanwhile, doesn’t see any problem with its ardent hope for changing its name to Burger King, whose 60 percent share is owned by Bert Lina of Air21.

And it is also likely that Burger King would be ran by Romero himself after promising to infuse additional capital stock to Burger King.

A source said Romero is likely to be named as alternate governor in the PBA.

[nardy]

http://www.philstar.com/images/logo_PStar.gif

Guiao to call the shots for Burger King
Updated January 08, 2009 12:00 AM

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/1620/spo4jp3.jpg
Yeng Guiao and Mikee Romero

National coach Yeng Guiao, who recently resigned as Red Bull mentor, has accepted a two-year contract to coach Burger King which takes over from Air21 in the pro league effective Jan. 15.

“In principle, it’s done. I have reached an agreement with Mr. Mikee Romero representing the Burger King group,” Guiao told The STAR. “We’re just finalizing the small details like the people I’m bringing to the team.”

Guiao said the team is reorganizing as Air21 transfers the franchise to Burger King.

“I’m bringing in coach Rhoel Nadurata while Mikee is bringing in his Harbour Center coaches Jorge Gallent, Ryan Dy and Junel Baculi. The core of the Air21 lineup remains,” said Guiao.

Guiao said Baculi will be the team manager while Nadurata, Gallent and Dy will be members of his coaching staff. He couldn’t bring along Gee Abanilla as he has a live contract with Red Bull.

The national coach is excited to work with the players he’s handling in his new team – his fourth after Swift Mighty Meaty, Pepsi and Red Bull.

“Air21 is a winning team. It has good materials. We’ll just try to develop the ability to win big games,” said Guiao of the team which has a core group led by Arwind Santos, Gary David, Wynne Arboleda, KG Canaleta.

The Express gained their first finals appearance in the league in the recent Fiesta Conference but failed to make it past the wildcard round of the ongoing Philippine Cup.

Romero, owner of the PBL multi-titled team Harbour Centre, will be the team’s representative to the league board.

“The Lina Group is the majority owner of Burger King. I would come in as a minority shareholder for now. But once expansion goes full steam, I’ll pump in more money and help run the team in the coming season,” said Romero. – Nelson Beltran

[LordOfLeyte]

Bo Perasol will be missed but YenG would be appreciated and I think he would make a BK's line-up more cohesive, right where Bo left it. I also expect Cyrus to contribute further next conference.

[nardy]

Bo Perasol will be missed but YenG would be appreciated and I think he would make a BK's line-up more cohesive, right where Bo left it. I also expect Cyrus to contribute further next conference.

should we expect a much rougher Homer Se and Wynne Arboleda with a much sharper elbows from Arwind Santos now that Coach Yeng directing them. :p

[the cool cat]

should we expect a much rougher Homer Se and Wynne Arboleda with a much sharper elbows from Arwind Santos now that Coach Yeng directing them. :p right on target sir! they'll be recognized as the bad boy team in the PBA next conference.. hehehe

[reamily]

Watch out for KG believe me if he do not slash to basket in YG's system he will receive some words from yeng this is the moment I've been waiting for, common KG is 6'6 doesnt know how to take it strong to the basket

[The_Big_Cat]

should we expect a much rougher Homer Se and Wynne Arboleda with a much sharper elbows from Arwind Santos now that Coach Yeng directing them. :p

Probably. :D
Since Homer Se used to play for Yeng Guiao at Red Bull.

[kerouac82]

Watch out for KG believe me if he do not slash to basket in YG's system he will receive some words from yeng this is the moment I've been waiting for, common KG is 6'6 doesnt know how to take it strong to the basket

He should learn how to dribble first.

[b3lowzro]

He should learn how to dribble first.

he does, he can do does fancy cross over type of dribbling even a point guard pressuring him during a game. The real problem with KG is that he shoots the 3 too much.

[hawke12]

he does, he can do does fancy cross over type of dribbling even a point guard pressuring him during a game. The real problem with KG is that he shoots the 3 too much.

Some say KG is Soft... Doesn't want to bang against the Big boys inside...

[RayV]

Wow, with Guiao running our team, I expect a more organized but a bit rougher ball club this time around... Will he favor Skyrus over Gary D? We'll soon find out... :)


Some say KG is Soft... Doesn't want to bang against the Big boys inside...

^Yeah, that's what I also see with KG... He lacks that basketball diskarte ... hopefully Guiao could put some sense in him and add intensity to his game... :D

[bolabasket]

Wow, with Guiao running our team, I expect a more organized but a bit rougher ball club this time around... Will he favor Skyrus over Gary D? We'll soon find out... :)

AIR21 is Gary D's team....I think Baguio will do good in reserve role unless Gary D's injured again...


^Yeah, that's what I also see with KG... He lacks that basketball diskarte ... hopefully Guiao could put some sense in him and add intensity to his game... :D

I think this is KG's first time to be handled by Guiao...lets see the outcome...

[The_Big_Cat]

Wow, with Guiao running our team, I expect a more organized but a bit rougher ball club this time around... Will he favor Skyrus over Gary D? We'll soon find out... :)



^Yeah, that's what I also see with KG... He lacks that basketball diskarte ... hopefully Guiao could put some sense in him and add intensity to his game... :D

Because Canaleta is a converted forward ( small and power forward ). In college, he was playing the center position.

[nardy]

http://www.malaya.com.ph/imges/sports.jpg
SATURDAY |JANUARY 10, 2009

BK papers due Monday
BY NOLI CORTEZ

AIR21 believes it can fully satisfy the PBA of its rightful ownership of Burger King and need not go the long, costly route before effecting a name change in time for the Fiesta Conference.

"We will give them the necessary papers that will give them peace of mind," said Air21 team manager Lito Alvarez yesterday, referring to a special board meeting set at the PBA’s Quezon City office on Monday to tackle the issue.

"As I have said before, we will present the necessary papers, but it’s only a matter of time. Monday is the time," Alvarez added.

League chairman Joaqui Trillo and commissioner Sonny Barrios have both stated Burger King’s true and current ownership must be fully established before it could come in in lieu of Air21 in the Fiesta Conference that starts Feb. 28.

Another thing that must be settled, according to Barrios, is if the companies belonging to Air21 owner Bert Lina has a SEC-registered holding company that has been a pre-requisite since the franchise came into the league as FedEx in 2002.

It has also been contended that Burger King is not part of the group of Lina, which came into the PBA under Air2100 Inc.

If those issues and other lesser ones are not settled, either Air21 must continue participating as the Express or Burger King must buy the franchise, which was bought from Tanduay for a reported P75 million.

Alvarez shrugs off those concerns, reiterating Lina owns 60 percent of Burger King, with Manny V. Pangilinan controlling some 13 percent and Alvarez, Ricky Vargas and Wilson Young each holding 5 percent interest.

"Two years ago, Mr. Lina’s companies have been grouped into a holding company called Lina Heim Corporate Services, Inc. and I will submit papers to that effect on Monday," said Alvarez.

Owning such a large percentage of Burger King’s stocks, he also stressed, is enough to satisfy the league’s minimum requirement of 33 1/3 percent controlling interest in a company.

He also finds some humor in the concerns being aired by some quarters.

"It has been coming out time and again in news reports that Mr. Lina owns the majority of Burger King. Bakit kaming apat na co-owners hindi pumapalag kung hindi totoo iyon? Bakit iba ang bothered?" he mused.

[nardy]

http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/jan1009/pictures/frontpage.jpg
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2009

Arwind Santos sa TNT?
BY Malou Aquino

FULL STORY (http://www.dyaryoboy.com/cgi-bin/webframe.pl?http://www.abante.com.ph/)

[The_Big_Cat]

http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/jan1009/pictures/frontpage.jpg
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2009

Arwind Santos sa TNT?
BY Malou Aquino

FULL STORY (http://www.dyaryoboy.com/cgi-bin/webframe.pl?http://www.abante.com.ph/)

I thought the trading deadline was on the last day of eliminations which was on December 25, 2008. If there's going to be a trade it will happen after the Philippine Cup Finals.

[nardy]

I thought the trading deadline was on the last day of eliminations which was on December 25, 2008. If there's going to be a trade it will happen after the Philippine Cup Finals.

that is the trading deadline for this conference. next conference there would be another deadline.

[LordOfLeyte]

http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/jan1009/pictures/frontpage.jpg
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2009

Arwind Santos sa TNT?
BY Malou Aquino

FULL STORY (http://www.dyaryoboy.com/cgi-bin/webframe.pl?http://www.abante.com.ph/)

Great, we'll take back Ranidel De Ocampo.:D

[nardy]

Great, we'll take back Ranidel De Ocampo.:D

some Teams are already questioning this planned trade. Since TNT and Burger King is connected due to MVP, they are like sister-teams and the restrictions imposed presently on Danding Cojuangco teams they said should also applied. There are talks that TNT is being molded into a super team by getting it's missing pieces from Burger King and dumping it's spare players to BK.

There are also talks that something is fishy with the way Burger King is coming in. It seems to be a work around in avoiding paying the big franchise fee required for new teams to shell out. It is also seems to be another work around in which Harbour Centre to enter the PBA. With both MVP and Mikee Romero indicating that they would be infusing additional capital in the future to the Burger King partnership, that certainly water down the current controling interest of Bert Lina.

By the way, there is still no news on what sanctions the PBA would penalized TNT for playing an unauthorized game versus the Singapore Slingers. TNT has issued an alibi that the trip to Singapore was a “Scrimmage” with the Singapore Slingers and is not actually a game.

[nardy]

http://dynamic2.philonline.com/ManilaStandardToday_photo/new_web_logo.gif
Saturday - Sunday, January 10 - 11, 2009

Guiao: Burger King a title contender
By Rey Joble

YENG Guiao hardly hesitated the moment the coaching position of Burger King was offered to him.

In fact, he’s more excited than ever.

“This is a championship-caliber team,” Guiao told Standard Today, referring to Burger King, the new name of the Air21 Express starting the Reinforce Conference this March. “They have the materials and no doubt the talent. The only thing that keeps them short from going all the way is consistency.”

And consistency is one thing which Guiao will be instilling to this squad teeming with talent from top to bottom.

The multi-titled mentor will inherit a team that has figured in the best-of-seven finals last year against Barangay Ginebra.

Holdovers like Arwind Santos, Gary David, Niño Canaleta, Wynne Arboleda, JC Intal, Homer Se, Doug Kramer and Marvin Cruz have certainly made the Express a crack squad, but player movements initiated by the management certainly made the team a lot better.

Among the players recruited by the Express recently were burly center JR Quiñahan, veteran slotman Don Allado and former Red Bull stalwarts Cyrus Baguio and Celino Cruz.

For Guiao, handling a talented team like Burger King would be a perfect opportunity to bring back his winning ways. He resigned as coach of Red Bull two weeks ago after nine years capped by three championships.


PBA board meets to discuss Air21’s fate
By Ronnie Nathanielsz

IN what may be considered a preemptive move, the Philippine Basketball Association board of governors will hold a special board meeting on Monday to discuss the ramifications of the planned Air21 transfer to Burger King.

PBA chairman Joaqui Trillo said that while nothing official has been filed with the Commissioner’s Office indicating the changes, Air21 officials, as well as Burger King investors, including PLDT-Smart owner Manuel V. Pangilinan and former PBA chairman Ricky Vargas, hinted at future plans.

As gathered by www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports, Air21 will carry the Burger King name in the second conference, with former Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao taking over as head coach.

Mikee Romero, owner of the Philippine Basketball League champion team Harbour Centre, is taking over the handling of the team as evidenced by the fact that it was he who negotiated with Guiao for the head coach job.

Romero, who had a comparatively small investment in Burger King initially, will increase that investment substantially, along with Pangilinan and Vargas, while the 60-percent majority ownership of Lina will be substantially diminished, along with that of current PBA vice chairman Lito Alvarez.

Talks are now ongoing to decide on whether Romero will serve as board representative of Burger King, or whether Alvarez will be allowed to continue as the representative, since he will succeed Trillo as chairman next season. But it was pointed out that the PBA chairmanship is by rotation among the teams, and not particular individuals representing the teams.

Trillo indicated that he would like to find out what the sentiments of the board members were and also to find out from Air21 what their plans are.

However, Trillo said Alvarez would not be able to attend the meeting on Monday since he will be in Baguio City. But Trillo said even without Alvarez he plans to go ahead with the meeting.

[The_Big_Cat]

some Teams are already questioning this planned trade. Since TNT and Burger King is connected due to MVP, they are like sister-teams and the restrictions imposed presently on Danding Cojuangco teams they said should also applied. There are talks that TNT is being molded into a super team by getting it's missing pieces from Burger King and dumping it's spare players to BK.

There are also talks that something is fishy with the way Burger King is coming in. It seems to be a work around in avoiding paying the big franchise fee required for new teams to shell out. It is also seems to be another work around in which Harbour Centre to enter the PBA. With both MVP and Mikee Romero indicating that they would be infusing additional capital in the future to the Burger King partnership, that certainly water down the current controling interest of Bert Lina.

By the way, there is still no news on what sanctions the PBA would penalized TNT for playing an unauthorized game versus the Singapore Slingers. TNT has issued an alibi that the trip to Singapore was a “Scrimmage” with the Singapore Slingers and is not actually a game.

I recall it was posted here several months ago before the 2008-2009 season that the PBA has scrapped the said restrictions to the sometimes "lopsided deals".

[nardy]

I recall it was posted here several months ago before the 2008-2009 season that the PBA has scrapped the said restrictions to the sometimes "lopsided deals".

what the PBA scrapped was the one wherein a team identifies it's premier player that's protected and could only be traded to a player with same category. It's the one at the center of the Rico Villanueva controversy before. And after the said scrapping, Red Bull resumed it's trading beinge of it's star players.

But the trading among sister teams of San Miguel is still in effect.

[The_Big_Cat]

what the PBA scrapped was the one wherein a team identifies it's premier player that's protected and could only be traded to a player with same category. It's the one at the center of the Rico Villanueva controversy before.

But the trading among sister teams of San Miguel is still in effect.

Can you please elaborate on the "sister-team trade" restrictions for I am not aware with the said rule? Thank you.

[nardy]

Can you please elaborate on the "sister-team trade" restrictions for I am not aware with the said rule? Thank you.

sister teams of San Miguel, Ginebra and Purefoods (Coke was formerly part of these group before SMC sold back it's controling shares to Coca-cola) are not allowed to trade players directly with each other which the PBA instituted to avoid San Miguel to manipulate the situation and make a team or teams more stronger at the expense of the other teams. This was intended to maintain the balance of the league.

But in my opinion, this restriction was ineffective as these Danding Cojuangco owned teams were able to do work arounds which they had a third team working as conduit (Red Bull, Air 21 and at times TNT were willing participants). And as you can see this resulted in trades giving the San Miguel Beermen a all-star type of line-up and was able to assemble a Ginebra team that is now composed of players who could emulate the Ginebra do-or-die system of old.

[allan23]

Because Canaleta is a converted forward ( small and power forward ). In college, he was playing the center position.

Maybe because UE lacks a center or maybe due to poor coaching. Just like the case of arwind santos. He was a C/PF in college.

[nardy]

Maybe because UE lacks a center or maybe due to poor coaching. Just like the case of arwind santos. He was a C/PF in college.

what position do you expect Nino Canaleta to play when he is the tallest in UE at that time. Arwind also was the one of the tallest at his time in FEU.

IT IS VERY UNFAIR FOR YOUR PART TO ACCUSE ANYONE OF POOR COACHING, ESPECIALLY WHEN AT THAT TIME ARWIND LED FEU TO ITS CHAMPIONSHIP WHILE KG WAS PART OF THE UE TURN AROUND WHICH MADE UE PERENIAL FINAL FOUR CONTENDERS. YOU BETTER KNOW YOUR FACTS BEFORE YOU WRITE ANY ACCUSATIONS.

It was also at that time in UE that the lanky Nino Canaleta was allowed to shine which ultimately led to the Media calling him KG, in reference to his idol Kevin Garnett since he was trying to pattern his style to that of KG.

[The_Big_Cat]

Maybe because UE lacks a center or maybe due to poor coaching. Just like the case of arwind santos. He was a C/PF in college.

Canaleta was really a center during his time in UE and in the PBL. Canaleta was the only true 6'5 player on that squad.

Arwind Santos is a 6'4" power forward in his stay with FEU and was part of the 2003, 2004 and 2005 FEU Champion teams.

[The_Big_Cat]

sister teams of San Miguel, Ginebra and Purefoods (Coke was formerly part of these group before SMC sold back it's controling shares to Coca-cola) are not allowed to trade players directly with each other which the PBA instituted to avoid San Miguel to manipulate the situation and make a team or teams more stronger at the expense of the other teams. This was intended to maintain the balance of the league.

But in my opinion, this restriction was ineffective as these Danding Cojuangco owned teams were able to do work arounds which they had a third team working as conduit (Red Bull, Air 21 and at times TNT were willing participants). And as you can see this resulted in trades giving the San Miguel Beermen a all-star type of line-up and was able to assemble a Ginebra team that is now composed of players who could emulate the Ginebra do-or-die system of old.

This is very hard to "police" if a third party gets involved in the trade.

[reamily]

Maybe because UE lacks a center or maybe due to poor coaching. Just like the case of arwind santos. He was a C/PF in college.

Calling Boyzie Zamar and Dindo Pumaren poor coach? "Kaya nga KG" is his nickname he is a blocking powerhouse in college and a natural power forward.

I can reconsider if its Johnny Tam?:D

[nardy]

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PBA: ‘Details being ironed out’ in Perasol's transfer to Coke
01/11/2009 | 05:21 PM

MANILA, Philippines – Bo Perasol may have found a new job. And it's likely not on Air21's coaching staff.

GMANews.TV learned in the weekend that the former Air21 coach has been talking to Coca-Cola team management which has offered him an assistant-coaching job.

"We're still on the process of ironing out the details," Perasol said.

Air21 let go of Perasol after the Express were ousted in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup. The Express have since hired national coach Yeng Guiao.

Perasol left Air21 as the most successful coach in franchise history, having led the Express to their first finals appearance in the PBA Fiesta Conference.

Perasol and his Air21 coaching staff are reportedly set to receive their last salary with the Express on January 15, giving way to Guiao and his coaching staff.

JB Baylon, Coke's board representative, has also told Perasol through text message that a deal is "close to being forged".

Perasol, a University of the Philippines alumnus like Baylon and a native of Marbel, South Cotobato like Coke head coach Kenneth Duremdes, was elevated to Air21 head coach during the 2005-'06 offseason.

He steered Air21 to its two best finishes in franchise history. Besides taking the Express to the finals in the 2008 import-laden Fiesta Conference, Perasol also guided them to third place in the 2006 Fiesta Conference.


Air21 has what it takes to win championship - Guiao
01/11/2009 | 04:51 PM

MANILA, Philippines - Yeng Guiao did not hesitate the moment the coaching position for Air21 was offered to him.

In fact, he's more excited than ever.

"[Air21] is a championship-caliber team," Guiao said, referring to Air21. "They have the materials and no doubt the talent. The only thing that keeps them short from going all the way is consistency."

And consistency is one thing that Guiao, a five-time PBA champion, will try to instill into the Express who came close to winning it all but falling short in a seven-game series versus Ginebra in the last Fiesta Conference.

The likes of Arwind Santos, Gary David, Niño Canaleta, Wynne Arboleda and a youthful cast have made Air21 a versatile team, with recent player movements expected to make the team better.

Among the players recruited lately were burly center JR Quinahan, veteran slotman Don Allado and former Red Bull stalwarts Cyrus Baguio and Celino Cruz.

For Guiao, handling a talented team like Air21 would be a perfect opportunity to bring back his winning ways. He resigned as coach of Red Bull two weeks ago after nine years and three championships.

Guiao will meet his team for the first time in a team practice to be held on January 19.

"This is one team every coach would like to handle kasi hindi nagdi-depreciate 'yung talent," said the two-time Coach of the year awardee. "Maski sinong ipasok mo hindi nagbabago 'yung quality ng talent."

At Air21, Guiao will be reunited with Baguio, Cruz and Se who all played for him in Red Bull.

"It's good for me because there are players who can be vocal enough to share to their teammates what our system is all about," said Guiao.

[The_Big_Cat]

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PBA: ‘Details being ironed out’ in Perasol's transfer to Coke
01/11/2009 | 05:21 PM

MANILA, Philippines – Bo Perasol may have found a new job. And it's likely not on Air21's coaching staff.

GMANews.TV learned in the weekend that the former Air21 coach has been talking to Coca-Cola team management which has offered him an assistant-coaching job.

"We're still on the process of ironing out the details," Perasol said.

Air21 let go of Perasol after the Express were ousted in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup. The Express have since hired national coach Yeng Guiao.

Perasol left Air21 as the most successful coach in franchise history, having led the Express to their first finals appearance in the PBA Fiesta Conference.

Perasol and his Air21 coaching staff are reportedly set to receive their last salary with the Express on January 15, giving way to Guiao and his coaching staff.

JB Baylon, Coke's board representative, has also told Perasol through text message that a deal is "close to being forged".

Perasol, a University of the Philippines alumnus like Baylon and a native of Marbel, South Cotobato like Coke head coach Kenneth Duremdes, was elevated to Air21 head coach during the 2005-'06 offseason.

He steered Air21 to its two best finishes in franchise history. Besides taking the Express to the finals in the 2008 import-laden Fiesta Conference, Perasol also guided them to third place in the 2006 Fiesta Conference.



It was then formerly known as Marbel. Now, it is known as Koronadal City which celebrated their foundation just yesterday.

I think the transfer of Perasol to Coke is just a matter of succession planning. If Duremdes doesn't perform well, we could see Perasol elevated to the head coaching job in the future.

[nardy]

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Air21 faces uphill battle as PBA board discusses 'name change' issue
01/11/2009 | 07:39 PM

MANILA, Philippines - A majority of the Philippine Basketball Association board expressed doubt that Air21 has the right to change its name, as the team representatives convene for a special meeting on Monday to discuss Air21's intent to use the Burger King brand next conference.

Six of the team representatives think Air21's proposal isn't simply a matter of changing names, saying Burger King is a new team altogether.

"From my initial reading and understanding of this issue, Burger King is a new member and must be subjected to the franchise fee of P70 million," said Coca-Cola board representative JB Baylon.

"The original franchise fee is with Air21, the company not with individual owner. I think it is irrelevant whether Bert Lina is 51-percent or 49-percent owner of Burger King," Baylon added, referring to the Air21 owner who owns a majority stake of Burger King under Lina's Lina Heim Corporate Services.

PBA chairman Joaqui Trillo of Alaska called for the special meeting to deliberate the process of Air21's intention to go by the name of Burger King in the coming Fiesta Conference.

PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios said that Air21's request is "not that simple" to resolve, with the team representatives expected to probe whether Burger King is at least 33-percent owned by Air21 100 Inc., Lina's holding firm when it entered the league in 2002.

Under the PBA rules, the holding firm can change the names of its PBA team if the new brand name is under the umbrella company, such as the case when San Miguel became Magnolia last season.

"Obviously, hindi naman product brand ng Air21 100, Inc. ang Burger King," said Barrios. "But at the same time, Air21 100 Inc. should show documentation that they have a 33.3 percent share of Burger King and the ownership structure."

Barrios said it may take beyond Monday to resolve the issue.

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MONDAY |JANUARY 12, 2009

Air21 switch to Burger King under scrutiny
BY NOLI CORTEZ

BURGER King coming in as a replacement for Air21 in the PBA will be like the camel passing through the eye of the needle.

This was the consensus aired by a majority of league governors who vowed to put Burger King’s papers under the microscope during a special board meeting today at the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City.

On the eve of the meeting, set to start at lunchtime and to be presided over by league Chairman Joaqui Trillo, six of the nine voting governors have expressed resistance to the switch Air21 intends to make by the Fiesta Conference that starts on Feb. 28.

"It’s not that we want to block Burger King’s entry, but they have to show irrefutable proof (that Air21 and Burger King belong to businessman Bert Lina), kundi mahihirapan silang makapasok," said a highly-placed source, who requested anonymity.

"For most of the governors, Air21 and Burger King are two separate companies and if the latter wants to enter the PBA, it must pay the necessary franchise fee."

Coca-Cola team manager JB Baylon had earlier expressed reservations about Air21’s plans, saying: "From my individual reading and understanding of the Air21/Burger King issue, I think it is irrelevant whether Mr. Lina is 51 or 40 percent owner of BK. BK is a new member and subject to the franchise fee of P70 million. The original franchise is with Air21 and the company, not the individual owner."

Baylon added: "But if the PBA granted a franchise to Air21-Lina Group, then the PBA provided a wider berth for the Lina Group. However, I believe a member company of the Lina Group should still show controlling interest resides in Lina."

Express company president and team manager Lito Alvarez has maintained team owner Bert Lina has a 60 percent share in Burger King and that his shares belong to the holding firm Lina Heim Corporate Services, Inc.

Alvarez also contended he will submit supporting papers to back up those claims, including Burger King’s papers of incorporation.

Pro league governors resistant to the idea believe it is more complicated than that.

If Burger King is proven to be not under Lina’s group of companies, it would fall under the rules regarding the purchase of a new franchise and Burger King will have to pay the PBA 10 percent of the franchise cost as transfer fee payment.

A PBA franchise reportedly costs P70 million and Commissioner Sonny Barrios said any owner is free to look for a potential buyer. Before the sale is approved, however, the process still must first go through the governors’ scrutiny.

One bone of contention by the other governors is the fact Air21 entered the league as FedEx in 2002 under the firm Air2100 Inc. and not under Lina Heim, which Alvarez said was formed "some two years ago."

Barrios had said under PBA rules, the holding firm can change its PBA team’s name to another product that falls under its umbrella company, such as the case when San Miguel decided to change its name to Magnolia last season.

"It’s not that simple because, obviously, hindi naman product brand ng Air2100, Inc. ang Burger King," Barrios pointed out.

Unless Air21 gets majority of the governors to approve of its plans, the switch will have to remain on hold. So do the Express’ plans to have Mikee Romero come in as alternate governor to Alvarez and effect a coaching staff change that has already began with talks to former Red Bull mentor Yeng Guiao.

Among Guiao’s projected assistants are George Gallent, head coach of five-time PBL winner Harbour Centre, and Roehl Nadurata.

[nardy]

It was then formerly known as Marbel. Now, it is known as Koronadal City which celebrated their foundation just yesterday.

I think the transfer of Perasol to Coke is just a matter of succession planning. If Duremdes doesn't perform well, we could see Perasol elevated to the head coaching job in the future.

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MONDAY |JANUARY 12, 2009

Perasol set to join Coca-Cola

BO Perasol is bringing his winning tradition over to a company that sorely needs it.

As of yesterday, the former Air21 coach and Coca-Cola have already agreed in principle for Perasol to act as one of Kenneth Duremdes’ assistants starting in the coming PBA Fiesta Conference.

"We’re still ironing out some small details," said Perasol, 37.

Since taking over the coaching chores at Air21 in the 2005-06 season, Perasol, a former UP Fighting Maroon, has compiled a win-loss record of 83-83.

He steered Air21 to the finals of last year’s Fiesta where the Express bowed to Ginebra in seven games.

Air21 wound up with an 8-11 slate in the ongoing Philippine Cup, the only losing record Perasol had with the Bert Lina franchise, but the eighth-place finish was still a rung higher than Coke, which wound up with a 7-12 card.

Those accomplishments seemingly had little effect on Air21 management, which decided to replace Perasol with Yeng Guiao after the latter resigned from Red Bull last Dec. 27.

Reports have it Perasol, who is Air21’s operations manager for Southern Tagalog, was to be named Express team consultant with the additional perk of later being appointed to senior manager for operations.

Coke’s package, however, reportedly includes being named as the beverage giant’s first-ever director for basketball operations.

Perasol has not had that feeling of being wanted in Air21.

[nardy]

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We're here to stay - Red Bull
Updated January 12, 2009 12:00 AM

Red Bull owner George Chua, in a meeting with league board representative Tony Chua and team manager Andy Jao Friday, said they’re staying in the PBA, quashing speculations the team is disbanding soon.

Chua said they’re rebuilding and reorganizing with members of their champion team gone. This included coach Yeng Guiao, who’s now part of the Burger King organization, which is taking over from Air21 starting this coming Fiesta Conference.

Meanwhile, Coca-Cola is looking to strengthen its coaching staff with the team now close to signing Bo Perasol to assist Kenneth Duremdes. Perasol has been bumped off by Guiao at Burger King.

Tony Chua said assistant coach Gee Abanilla may be elevated to head coach even as two coaches from the amateur ranks have expressed interest to apply for the job.

“We had a meeting, and Boss George maintained we’re staying. The fact is there was never a plan to leave,” said Tony Chua.

“Yes, we’re having financial difficulty at the moment. But who’s not? It’s a global problem,” the Red Bull governor added.

The former PBA board chairman said they would have another meeting this week to plan their course of action.

“The first order is to name the coach. We’re not able to finish our meeting Friday since Boss George was to attend another matter,” said Tony Chua.

Guiao quit his job at Red Bull after practically all his trusted players were traded to other teams.

The team has been reduced from championship contender to spoiler following the departure of former mainstays Willie Miller, Kerby Raymundo, Rico Villanueva, Lordy Tugade, Larry Fonacier, Junthy Valenzuela, Topex Robinson, Rich Alvarez, Mick Pennisi, Celino Cruz and Cyrus Baguio.

With a badly decimated lineup, the Bulls were the first team eliminated in the ongoing PBA tourney, winning only five of 18 games in the double-round elimination play.

Before that, Red Bull had always been a force to reckon with, having a long streak of finishes inside the top four.

[nardy]

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GUIAO CALLS FIRST BURGER KING PRACTICE ON THE 19TH OF JANUARY
Posted on 09 January 2009

Coach Yeng Guiao will call his first practice with the Air 21 team, soon to carry the banner of Burger King in the PBA import reinforced conference, on January 19 at the Reyes Gym in Mandaluyong.

Guiao who resigned as Red Bull coach after the Barakos sold their star players and effectively decimated a champion team said he felt “both happy and sad. Happy that I have a job as coach and sad that I had to leave Red Bull.”

He said that “under normal circumstances I would never have left but things are not normal anymore.”

Guiao said he has “a good team” in Air 21 which is loaded with talent but indicated he would miss his Red Bull players who “believed in me which is something I value.”

Guiao said he expects his contract as coach to be finalized next week and indicated that he wanted to bring along Roel Nadurata. He disclosed that the Burger King team management under Mikee Romero who first made the coaching offer to him was trying to “fit him (Nadurata) into their budget.”

Meantime, www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports learned that Red Bull team owner George Chua and management were scheduled to meet Thursday to decide on what to do with the Red Bull team in the face of financial troubles brought about by a downswing in their businesses.

Previous attempts to sell the franchise apparently had no takers and should that continue to be the case, it may reluctantly consider disbanding the team.

[nardy]

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Gee, task is gargantuan
Monday, 12 January 2009 23:26

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RED BULL assistant coach Gee Abanilla said it will be a gargantuan task for him to make the Barakos competitive again.

Abanilla, who is being groomed to succeed Yeng Guiao as mentor of the Barakos in the coming Fiesta Conference, admitted that the first order of battle for the financially plagued franchise is to uplift the morale of the players and the coaching staff.

“Right now, talagang demoralize ang buong team. First, na-trade sila Cyrus at Celino [Cruz] then nag-resign si coach Yeng. It’s really hard to motivate the team right now,” Abanilla told the BusinessMirror.

“Up to now, wala pang [official] communication sa management kung sino ang papalit and especially kung ano mangyayari sa team. Kung sino man ang uupo diyan, it will be hard for the coach to motivate the whole team because of the kind of lineup he has,” he added.

Abanilla is under contract with Red Bull, the reason Guiao did not bring him to the Burger King coaching staff.

Red Bull management has denied that the team is for sale but admitted that they are in the red.

On the positive side, Abanilla, who resigned as head coach of College of St. Benilde, said handling such a team like Red Bull offers a big opportunity, as well as challenges for coaches.

“It’s everybody’s dream to become a full-time coach in the PBA [Philippine Basketball Association]. But it will be hard kung hindi competitive ang team mo. It will be very difficult for the coach,” said Abanilla.

Guiao resigned as head coach of the team and is close to signing a two-year deal with Burger King in the coming Fiesta Conference, which will start on February 28. Guiao also brought Rhoel Nadurata to the Burger King fold, which will replace the brand Air21.

Abanilla, however, clarified he remains as one of Guiao’s assistant coaches on the national team.

[B]Joel Orellana

[nardy]

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TnT, BK coming out as sister teams?
By Nelson Beltran
Updated January 13, 2009 12:00 AM

Will Burger King and Talk n Text become sister teams? Will they still be allowed to trade players directly? Or will they now be regarded like corporate partners San Miguel Beer, Barangay Ginebra and Purefoods with restrictions in their pro league deals?

These are among questions being asked by some PBA governors with Burger King, partly owned by Talk n Text chief Manny V. Pangilinan, set to take over the Air21 franchise.

Air21 president and team manager Lito Alvarez formally informed the PBA board of their intention to transfer the franchise in a meeting yesterday at the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City.

PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios and league legal counsel Melvin Mendoza will look over the documents submitted by Air21 then make the endorsement to the board in their next meeting.

Barrios said Alvarez submitted papers in compliance with the January 2002 letter by then commissioner Jun Bernardino to Air2100 Inc. in its entry to the pro league, taking over from Tanduay.

Air21 is transferring the franchise to a holding company named Lina Heim Corporate Services Inc. Burger King is a subsidiary of the holding company with Air21 owner Bert Lina being the controlling stakeholder of the fastfood chain.

In Bernardino’s letter, a 33 and 1/3 percent ownership can be considered subsidiary company and be used as franchise name in the league.

Sources said the Bernardino letter would compel Barrios to endorse the acceptance of Burger King.

Air21 intends to carry the name of Burger King effective next conference set to start next month.

[nardy]

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January 13, 2009 03:44 PM Tuesday

Decision on Air21 request out this week
By: Zean Macamay

AIR21 yesterday formally submitted to the PBA Board two important documents that would allow it to change its name to Burger King by the start of the Fiesta Conference next month.

The matter is now at the hands of PBA Commissioner Sonny Bar-rios who has vowed to come out with his findings within the week.

Express team manager Lito Alvarez presented the ball club’s letter of intent to be known as Burger King and the supporting documents that Air21, indeed, has at least a 33.3 percent stake at the fast food chain company, leaving the final decision now to the Board whether it will accept without much question the report to be filed by Barrios.

Barrios refused to elaborate on the contents of Air21’s supporting documents, saying that it is a confidential corporate record. But he has assured that he will promptly act on the matter as requested by the Board to come out with a report before it could be submitted to the governors for final deliberation.

Those who will assist Barrios in scrutinizing the documents are Atty. Melvin Mendoza, the PBA’s legal counsel, and Barrios’s personal consultants, Atty. Aga Francisco and Atty. Bieny Solis along with the league’s chief for operations Rickie Santos and Media Bureau head Willie Marcial.

“Hindi pwedeng patagalin ito,” said Barrios yesterday. “Hindi naman tayo magpapadala ng rocket ship sa moon. But at the same time, pag-aralan dapat ng mabuti ito, and kung may mga kailangan at clarification pa kami, we will call up Mr. Lito Alvarez.”

While much of the opposition to Air21’s intention to change its name stemmed from the governors, the vote of the Board may not at all be needed. Barrios said that if ever he and his group come up with a satisfying report, Burger King could finally be present once the season-ending conference kicks off on Feb. 28.

“Pwedeng hindi (Board voting),” said Barrios. “Pero ayaw ko lang pa-ngunahan na pag nagawa na namin ang report, ay 101 percent na OK na sa Board.”

Barrios also said that Alvarez is batting that no Board approval is needed and just a simple transer. He, on the other hand, responded by saying that his report is subject to the affirmation by the Board.

If Air21 does manage to change its name to Burger King, no fee shall be paid to the league. This, according to Barrios, is because of the 2002 letter by the late and former Commissioner Emilio ‘Jun’ Bernardino allowing any Air21 subsi-diary firm to become the company’s banner team in the league.

“Walang babayaran, maliwanag kasi sa letter ni Commissioner Bernardino na walang transfer fee,” said Barrios.

At the same time, Barrios deviated from answering questions whether rules regarding sister teams – such as trading of players – will be imposed on Burger King and Talk ‘N Text once the food chain is allowed to com in.

Burger King is partly owned by Manny V. Pangilinan, the Talk ‘N Text owner.

“Iba nang issue ‘yan,” said Barrios. “But we will get there once na ma-hurdle na natin itong problema at hand.”

Practically all of the governors are against Air21’s move. For one, JB Baylon of Coca-Cola, believes that the entry of Burger King should fall under rules regarding new franchises, where the incoming ball club will have to pay the PBA a franchise fee of P70 million.

Alvarez, on the other hand, said that Bert Lina, Chairman of Air21, owns 60 percent of Burger King. Pangilinan is the next individual with a large stake at 13 percent, with PLDT’s Ricky Vargas, Wilson Young of Tanduay and himself owning a five percent share.

[aarpee]

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MONDAY |JANUARY 12, 2009

Perasol set to join Coca-Cola

BO Perasol is bringing his winning tradition over to a company that sorely needs it.

As of yesterday, the former Air21 coach and Coca-Cola have already agreed in principle for Perasol to act as one of Kenneth Duremdes’ assistants starting in the coming PBA Fiesta Conference.

"We’re still ironing out some small details," said Perasol, 37.

Since taking over the coaching chores at Air21 in the 2005-06 season, Perasol, a former UP Fighting Maroon, has compiled a win-loss record of 83-83.

He steered Air21 to the finals of last year’s Fiesta where the Express bowed to Ginebra in seven games.

Air21 wound up with an 8-11 slate in the ongoing Philippine Cup, the only losing record Perasol had with the Bert Lina franchise, but the eighth-place finish was still a rung higher than Coke, which wound up with a 7-12 card.

Those accomplishments seemingly had little effect on Air21 management, which decided to replace Perasol with Yeng Guiao after the latter resigned from Red Bull last Dec. 27.

Reports have it Perasol, who is Air21’s operations manager for Southern Tagalog, was to be named Express team consultant with the additional perk of later being appointed to senior manager for operations.

Coke’s package, however, reportedly includes being named as the beverage giant’s first-ever director for basketball operations.

Perasol has not had that feeling of being wanted in Air21.



so it mean he's also terminated as operations manager?:confused: too bad!
but maybe this is really what he wanted, i recall before this conference begins, he wanted to be replaced as head coach of air 21...

[nardy]

so it mean he's also terminated as operations manager?:confused: too bad!
but maybe this is really what he wanted, i recall before this conference begins, he wanted to be replaced as head coach of air 21...

Bo was terminated as Air21 OPerations Manager as he was actually was to be named Express team consultant with the additional perk of later being appointed to senior manager for operations. But since Coach Yeng is coming into the Air21/Burger King picture and Coke’s package, reportedly includes being named as the beverage giant’s first-ever director for basketball operations, Perasol feels he is given importance by Coke so he might as well transfer.

[aarpee]

Bo was terminated as Air21 OPerations Manager as he was actually was to be named Express team consultant with the additional perk of later being appointed to senior manager for operations. But since Coach Yeng is coming into the Air21/Burger King picture and Coke’s package, reportedly includes being named as the beverage giant’s first-ever director for basketball operations, Perasol feels he is given importance by Coke so he might as well transfer.


is being the first-ever director for basketball operations for coke is as big/bigger/lesser task than being the team consultant/senior manager for operations for air 21?:confused:

[nardy]

is being the first-ever director for basketball operations for coke is as big/bigger/lesser task than being the team consultant/senior manager for operations for air 21?:confused:

Sometimes in life money and positions are not that important. The feeling of being wanted and appreciated is much more important.

May I ask you aarpee, which one would you rather work with a company that gives you a position that has a nice sounding name but in actuality they do not trust you and is constantly looking for a better person to replace you or company that gives you a job without a title but you are trusted by management to do the decisions on their behalf.

And we are not yet comparing the fact that Coca-cola is a Multinational Company while Air21 is just the local franchisee of the FedEx Brand.

I have been a part of several large Multinational Corporations, and I know what Bo is feeling right now.

[aarpee]

i see..now im beginning to understand what coach bo perasol felt in Air 21 team.:(..but we can't also blame the company for that reason, because all they want is for the good of their company...

i just hope coach bo perasol's up coming relationship with his new team wud be the way he wanted to be appreciated...;)

and if i were to choose, i might choose coach bo perasol's choice too:D:D

[jack]

Sometimes in life money and positions are not that important. The feeling of being wanted and appreciated is much more important.

May I ask you aarpee, which one would you rather work with a company that gives you a position that has a nice sounding name but in actuality they do not trust you and is constantly looking for a better person to replace you or company that gives you a job without a title but you are trusted by management to do the decisions on their behalf.

And we are not yet comparing the fact that Coca-cola is a Multinational Company while Air21 is just the local franchisee of the FedEx Brand.

I have been a part of several large Multinational Corporations, and I know what Bo is feeling right now.


I agree with you nardy! I think this is the right move for coach Bo. His job in Air21 is so uncertain. It was like checking the papers every morning if Jaworski has already agreed to coach Air21. I don't think any person would be happy if in his mind he knows that the management is always searching for someone to replace him.

I think coach Bo did a pretty good job at Air21, it think it is not so easy coaching Air21 due the following reason:

1. Air21 has a team policy of always using all 12 players in a game. This may be good for the players cause it gives every player a chance to show his talent, but I think there are times that a coach can't really use everyone.

2. Air21 is next to Red Bull in one sided trades. Ranidel for Allado, Yancy for Telan??(im not sure), Cardona? who else???

3. It is not easy to coach when you have the Boss as one of your players :)

On the other, Signing up Coach Yeng is good move for Air21. I think he is the best choice and perfect for the Air21 coaching job. We all know how he handles a team and how unscoutable he is with the way he uses his players.
Hope he get's well his the Boss in his line up. I think he is the only untradeable person in the Air21 team. :-)

[nardy]

http://www.philstar.com/images/logo_PStar.gif

All about transparency
SPORTING CHANCE
By Joaquin Henson
Updated January 14, 2009 12:00 AM

http://www.philstar.com/NewPhilstar/www/image/columnistPhotos/Joaquin-Henson.jpg

There are no secrets among the team representatives comprising the PBA Board of Governors and that’s the way it should be. Transparency is essential for every governor to trust each other in making decisions for the good of the league.

Air21’s bid to rename the Express to Burger King is premised on the assumption that franchise owner Bert Lina has principal business interests in both products.

Air21 president Lito Alvarez, next in line as PBA chairman, has submitted documents to prove the lineage. The contention is Burger King is owned by a holding company where Lina has majority control, just like in Air21.

If the documents show foolproof evidence of Lina’s control, then there will be no need to pay the PBA any kind of transfer fee under the common ownership rule. If that’s the case, all it takes is a one-conference notice to make the product change. An exception to the one-conference notice may be made on condition the franchise owner pays the PBA for whatever is the value of the property inventory of the previous product.

If there is a change in franchise ownership such as when Shell sold its seat to Welcoat (now Rain or Shine), the PBA will impose a transfer fee or tax equivalent to 10 percent of the purchase price or if the amount is undisclosed, 10 percent of the indicative franchise price of P60 million.

A one-year notice is required for a new team to play under the transfer rule. If it is proved that Burger King is not a subsidiary of the holding company where Lina is the majority owner, then the transfer rule will apply. This will also require the PBA to process the application meticulously. A fee will be paid to the PBA for the deal to push through as in the Coca-Cola and Shell precedents.

In the case of a new franchise joining the league without buying an existing team, the fee is P60 million.

By the way, the one-conference and one-year notice requirements are subject to review and are not hard rules, according to PBA media affairs bureau chief Willie Marcial.


* * * *

PBA legal counsel Melvin Martin is now looking over the Air21 documents before submitting his recommendation to the Board. From all indications, the papers are in order.

If the finding is conclusive that Lina has majority control of both Air21 and Burger King, then only a notice of change of name is required to baptize the Express as the Whoppers next conference. No vote from the Board is necessary to effect the change.

However, there appears to be a question on the relationship between Burger King and Talk ‘N’ Text because of common shareholders. On record, it is PLDT that owns the Talk ‘N’ Text franchise in the PBA, not Manny Pangilinan or Ricky Vargas who are listed as Burger King shareholders. It may be argued, therefore, that an arm’s length relationship exists between Burger King and Talk ‘N’ Text.

But in the spirit of transparency, it appears prudent to consider a “sister” relationship between Burger King and Talk ‘N’ Text particularly in light of player trades. Because of common shareholder interests, it may be judicious to disallow direct player trades involving the teams – in the same way that the rule applies to San Miguel Beer, Barangay Ginebra and Purefoods which show a common ownership.

Of course, it may also be argued that in the extreme extension of trust, all teams – regardless of common owners – should be allowed to freely trade players but that couldn’t be accepted in an imperfect world such as ours.


* * * *

And as the Board is in the process of approving the switch to Burger King, perhaps it could also review the status of Purefoods as a non-voting member. At the moment, Purefoods is allowed to participate in Board discussions but not permitted to vote because of the limit of common ownership to two teams.

In the same spirit of transparency being invoked in the Air21-Burger King transfer, surely nobody will doubt the impartiality of Purefoods in voting on issues of league interest, particularly on policy and business matters. Purefoods may still be disallowed from voting on game-related issues but certainly, not on issues that concern the league’s well-being.

After all, transparency is what holds the Board together and leaving Purefoods out of the voting circle on policy and business matters appears to be indicative of some distrust which has no place in the chambers where the league’s fate is ultimately decided.

[nardy]

http://www.abante.com.ph/images05/layout/abante_logo.gif
http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/jan1409/pictures/date.gif

ON THE SPOT: A PREGNANT WOMAN BRINGS LUCK
by Malou Aquino

It's a sure full-packed as in a full venue tonight on the start of the semifinal round of the PBA Philippine Cup.

Of course we all know that the protoganists are Sta. Lucia Realty counter Alaska Aces in the first game, while the main game is Talk 'N Text against San Miguel Beer.

The four teams are evenly matched , no push overs.


***
.
It was found-out by the Spot there that there is an uncertainty on the return of Mark Caguioa for the 2nd Conference. It is because his two knees had not completely healed.

We have news, daily injections are done on the knees of the player and it is said that the injury is not ACL.

So to the fans of Mark, you increase your prayers for the quick recovery of your idol.

If you really like to see Caguioa in the court playing, the greater is the desire of 'The Spark' to be able to play.


***

There is a real strong desire of the Lina franchise to change the name of Air21 and to use Burger King for the next conference.

The PBA is still studying how much actually are the stocks held by Air21 in Burger King so that it could automatically be approved by the PBA board.

Mr. Manny Pangilinan of TNT is also one of the owners of Burger King.

Well, all I can say is goodluck.


***

We want to greet Dale Singson. Because On the Spot received news he would now play for Coca-Cola.

Good for him because it would be very easy for Singson to keep pace with anyone.

Singson is a product of the champion UST team.

Currently the family of Singson are in Davao and by February he'll be going to Manila to join the practices of the Tigers.


***

It is said being pregnant is a lucky thing.

San Miguel Beer entered the semis when they beat Brgy. Ginebra last Sunday.

They are saying that since the wives of Jay Washington and Eman Samigue are pregnant they brought luck. It is hoped that the luck would continue upto the Beerman entering the finals.

[nardy]

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In Huddle
Mikee’s role in Burger King
By Beth Celis
First Posted 04:09:00 01/14/2009

Contrary to everyone’s expectations, nothing new or earth-shaking was discussed during the PBA board meeting on Monday at the league offices in Libis, Quezon City.

Relaying a second-hand account of what transpired —which appeared in all newspapers Tuesday—a colleague said Air21 team manager-governor Lito Alvarez merely informed the board formally of his ballclub’s intent to transfer its franchise to a holding company called Lina Heim Corporate Services Inc.

Alvarez also submitted pertinent documents, including the incorporation papers of Burger King, a subsidiary of Lina Heim Holding, which will take over the Air21 franchise.

Bert Lina, who owns the Air21 franchise, is the majority stockholder of Burger King, which is also partly owned by Talk ‘N Text’s Manny Pangilinan.

* * *

If the structure is this simple, why is everyone so confused about the ownership of Burger King, which they say will soon be the sister company of Talk ‘N Text.

One way or the other, Pangilinan will eventually become the majority shareholder of Burger King, if he still isn’t.

But where does Harbour Centre’s Mikee Romero come in? After all, he’s the man who hired Yeng Guiao to replace Air21’s Bo Perasol as head coach of the Lina franchise.

It was also Mikee who initiated the trade for Red Bull’s Cyrus Baguio and Celino Cruz.

Just what exactly is his role in the Burger King equation?

* * *

No less than an Asian Institute of Management professor, who once hit the headlines of sports pages, explained to me how the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle will fall to complete the picture.

“Right now, it’s still status quo, with the Linas controlling the majority (shares) of Burger King and Romero, who will infuse fresh capital into the company for a projected expansion, conducting due diligence,” the professor said.

“It’s what is known in business as ‘capital call.’ The money that will be infused by Mikee will dilute the shares of all the stockholders, including Bert Lina, eventually making Mikee the controlling entity.

“Thus, he will then own Burger King. I just don’t know if Air21’s PBA franchise was part of the package or if he had to pay separately for this.”

The process of transferring ownership is ongoing, according to him.

* * *

Apparently, there will be a transition period with the Linas, the Romeros, Pangilinan and Alvarez co-existing peacefully within the Burger King franchise. Lito will serve his term as PBA chair, while Mikee takes full responsibility in the management of the Burger King ballclub.

But that’s not all. My colleague said he predicts a bigger role for Mikee, in addition to his capacity as Burger King alternate governor.

“Wanna bet he’ll be the new RP team manager?” he said.

According to the scribe, with Yeng Guiao now coaching for Burger King, Tony Chua of Red Bull is expected to resign as manager of the national team.

If Chua resigns, the sponsorship and management of the national team will be offered to Coca-Cola, he said. Most likely, though, it will fall on the shoulders of Yeng’s new team Burger King and his new boss Mikee Romero.

* * *

While the professor wasn’t sure how Romero and Pangilinan would split the Harbour Centre pie, he said he wouldn’t be surprised if the port operations company makes a bid to buy another PBA franchise.

Not the Red Bull franchise, though, since owner George Chua has made it clear that it is not for sale.

[nardy]

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Thursday, January 15, 2009

Perasol sees great potential in Coke

FOR a job well done at the Air21 Express camp, Bo Perasol is bringing in his basketball savvy to the Coca-Cola Tigers.

The former University of the Philippines Maroons stalwart is excited to join a team that could open so many possibilities for his young coaching career.

“I’m excited about the new possibilities with Coca-Cola,” Perasol told Standard Today. “This is a team that has a lot of potential to become a championship-caliber team with a mixture of veterans and young players on the squad.”

Perasol will assist Kenneth Duremdes on the bench. The former Most Valuable Player was given a fresh term as mentor of the team.

Details of the contract of the former Express bench tactician is being ironed out at this time, but JB Baylon, Coca-Cola’s board representative in the Philippine Basketball Association, confirmed that they have already agreed in principle.

Baylon also added that they are still working regarding the buyout of Binky Favis’ contract. His contract would expire at the end of 2010.

Perasol and Duremdes have been acquainted as early as their boyhood days. They both grew up in Marbel, South Cotabato. They will be reunited in the hope of changing the fortunes of the once slumping franchise, which has gained some progress this season.

“Working with Kenneth would be special. We were acquainted since we were kids as we came from the same place,” said Perasol, who also expressed his gratitude to the management of Air21 that treated him so well both as a coach and employee.

“Air21 has been very supportive of my transfer. I will let Mr. Lito Alvarez know about the details of my contract sa Coke once it has been ironed out,” Perasol added.

Perasol worked for the Lina Group for nine years as member of the basketball’s coaching staff and manager for operations. His stint with Coca-Cola could also open the doors for greater opportunities for him, possibly as future head of basketball operations or an executive position in the company. Rey Joble

[nardy]

http://www.philstar.com/images/logo_PStar.gif
Fri Jan 16, 2009 12:48 AM

BK to pay fee if Lina stake diluted
By Joaquin Henson Updated January 16, 2009 12:00 AM

PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios said yesterday there will be no fee to pay if it is proved that Air21 owner Bert Lina has at least a 33.3 percent interest in Burger King but if the shareholding is diluted, a transfer tax of P6 million or 10 percent of the indicative purchase price of P60 million for a franchise will be levied.

Barrios made the clarification in the wake of Air21’s application to switch the team’s carrying product to Burger King starting the coming Fiesta Conference. Air21 president Lito Alvarez submitted documents to the PBA Board of Governors in a meeting last Monday to establish Lina’s common interest.

“Based on a ruling made by former commissioner Jun Bernardino and documented in a letter dated Jan. 20, 2002, there will be no transfer fee if the owner has at least a 33.3 percent interest in both products via a holding company,” said Barrios.

Alvarez’ documents show Lina as majority owner of Air21 and Burger King. PBA legal counsel Melvin Martin is now studying the documents and will submit his findings to the Board.

However, Barrios said if the plan to bring in Harbour Centre’s Mikee Romero to infuse fresh capital into Burger King materializes and Lina’s stake is diluted to less than 33.3 percent, a transfer fee will be assessed.

Romero said he isn’t hiding the fact of his future involvement in Burger King and will pay the transfer fee once he takes control of the franchise.

“Transparency should be prevalent in PBA teams,” said Romero, a former La Salle cager. “It’s been my dream to be in the PBA since I learned how to play basketball at La Salle. When Bert Lina and MVP (Manny V. Pangilinan of Talk ‘N’ Text) invited me to join Burger King, I didn’t realize that my dream would be realized sooner than later.” Romero said the opportunity of joining the league is “a dream come true.”

“Imagine buying a company with an actual operation and a PBA team combined,” he continued. “Burger King is currently still 60 percent Bert Lina and the remaining shares are owned by MVP and others. Burger King has 23 outlets now and we plan to increase it to 60. Burger King needs fresh capital and that’s why they invited me and I said yes right away. But I have to do a due diligence and that’s exactly where we are.”

In the meantime, the Burger King Board has nominated Romero as vice chairman and PBA governor subject to the consummation of the infusion.

“I don’t plan to hide anything with this deal and I don’t intend to bend any PBA rules,” he went on. “On the Talk ‘N’ Text and Burger King trade issues, I don’t have any qualms about it. It’s up to the PBA Board to decide. I’m just living a dream and I hope the PBA would be open to a young La Sallite coming into the league and providing fresh competition.”

Romero vowed “to do my best and bring my passion to the PBA.” He added, “it’s scary as all eyes are on us but that makes life more exciting.”

[allan23]

what position do you expect Nino Canaleta to play when he is the tallest in UE at that time. Arwind also was the one of the tallest at his time in FEU.

IT IS VERY UNFAIR FOR YOUR PART TO ACCUSE ANYONE OF POOR COACHING, ESPECIALLY WHEN AT THAT TIME ARWIND LED FEU TO ITS CHAMPIONSHIP WHILE KG WAS PART OF THE UE TURN AROUND WHICH MADE UE PERENIAL FINAL FOUR CONTENDERS. YOU BETTER KNOW YOUR FACTS BEFORE YOU WRITE ANY ACCUSATIONS.

It was also at that time in UE that the lanky Nino Canaleta was allowed to shine which ultimately led to the Media calling him KG, in reference to his idol Kevin Garnett since he was trying to pattern his style to that of KG.

Canaleta should have been a SF in college just like what he is now. Even if you are the tallest it doesnt mean you need to play center. He cant even play center in the PBA.. Yabut and Isip are taller than arwind at that time.

Thats why i said "maybe". Im not accusing anyone or anybody.

Canaleta does not even shoot 3 pointers in college. If only he developed that in college maybe he is a much better shooter now. Same with arwind.

[nardy]

Canaleta should have been a SF in college just like what he is now. Even if you are the tallest it doesnt mean you need to play center. He cant even play center in the PBA.. Yabut and Isip are taller than arwind at that time.

Thats why i said "maybe". Im not accusing anyone or anybody.

Canaleta does not even shoot 3 pointers in college. If only he developed that in college maybe he is a much better shooter now. Same with arwind.

Then who would have played center for UE at that time ..... when Dindo Pumaren took over from Boysie Zamar the only veterans left were 6'6 Nino Canaleta, 6'3 RJ Masbang and 5'11 Paolo Hubalde. Together with Zamar, the dynamic duo of Paul Artadi and James Yap, and the whole starting lineup with Jay-Arr Estrada, Arnold Booker, and Ollan Omiping had already left UE together with reserves 6'7 Philip Butel, 6'7 Eric Saguitan, 6'6 Nicasio Tamayo, 6'5 Jhayson Alminario and Charles Tan. Others in the first UE team of Dindo handeled were 5'8 Robert Labagala, 6'2 Luis Palaganas, 5'10 Marcy Arellano, 6'2 Raymond Leyga (got injured early and out for the season), 6'3 Rommel Dizon, 5'9 Earn Saguindel, 6'2 Val Acuna, 5'10 Marco Tabaquero while Paolo Napo might be tall at 6'6 he was really ineffective and could not understand instructions so he was always "pinaupo". Dizon is the epitome of hard work but is more of a forward in the mold of Tubid as he seems to always be at the right place at the right time. So tell me with Napo next to useless, who aside from Masbang can play center for UE. Pumaren was given a team practically composed of guards.

But despite a small line-up, against all odds UE got back into the UAAP Final Four which is already an achievement.

[nardy]

There are reports that Red Bull is considering Leo Austria to take the job left by Yeng Guiao. Gee Abanilla is handling the team as an Interim Coach only.

http://www.abante-tonite.com/img2009/tonite_header7.jpg
January 20, 2009 Tuesday

Austria, coach ng RedBull?

FULL STORY (http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/jan2009/sports_inbound.htm)

[nardy]

http://www.abante.com.ph/images05/layout/abante_logo.gif
http://abante.com.ph/issue/jan2109/pictures/date.gif

COACH DISCOVERED TO BE GAY
BY Malou Aquino

FULL STORY (http://abante.com.ph/issue/jan2109/sports_ma.htm)

[nardy]

http://www.mb.com.ph/images/header.jpg
Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Cortez to have torn ACL fixed in US
By Waylon Galvez

San Miguel Beer point guard Mike Cortez, who is recuperating from a torn right ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), will leave for the United States next month for a three-month rehabilitation program for his injured knee.

Cortez, the former No. 1 overall pick by Alaska in the 2003 PBA Rookie Draft, said that he’s optimistic he will regain his old form and hopes he could return in the late stage of the Fiesta Cup.

The 28-year-old Cortez actually had a similar injury two years ago when he was with the Aces, the only differences is that it was his left ACL.

"Sometimes when I think about it, parang ang malas ko naman," Cortez said. "But I guess it’s a sign from God for me to take this route. So I’m positive that I can overcome this challenge."

"A lot of guys suffered ACL injuries on both knees, but they came back and were successful. So I know I can also do it," he added.

Cortez suffered the injury in the second quarter of San Miguel’s 84-77 win against TNT last Oct. 17. The Tropang Texters lead the Beermen, 2-1, in their best-of-seven semifinals showdown in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup.

The one-time De La Salle University stalwart, together with then rookie Ken Bono, joined SMB last season before the Fiesta Cup via a trade deal that shipped LA Tenorio and Larry Fonacier to Alaska.

Nicknamed the "Cool Cat", the 6-foot-1 Cortez has career averages of 11.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.2 steals.

Though four games this season, the starting point guard of the Beermen averaged only 3.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.0 assist.

[nardy]

http://www.mb.com.ph/images/header.jpg
Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Sans Guiao and star players, Red Bull resumes practice
By WAYLON GALVEZ

The post-Yeng Guiao era begins today for Red Bull.

The Bulls will hold their first practice session today in preparation for the season-ending Fiesta Cup.

Guiao resigned last month as head coach of Red Bull after being disenchanted with the team’s spate of trades where it gave away its marquee players with nothing in return except future draft picks.

The Bulls management is still searching for Guiao’s replacement, and sans a regular mentor, assistant coach Gee Abanilla has been asked to lead the practice session that begins at 10 a.m. at the RFP Gym in Mandaluyong City.

"Ako daw muna until further notice," Abanilla said in a text message to the Bulletin yesterday.

Expected to show up are veterans Warren Ybanez, Leo Najorda, Magnum Membrere, Carlo Sharma and Mike Hrabak, young guns, Gabby Espinas, Jojo Duncil, Paolo Hubalde, and rookies Larry Rodriguez and Jeff Chan.

Some reserves and practice players are also expected to attend the practice session to tryout for vacant slots.

Guiao, who reportedly is close to signing a two-year deal to coach Air21, failed to bring along Abanilla because the current Hapee Toothpaste mentor in the PBL is under contract until end of July 2009 with Red Bull.

Air21 had asked the PBA board’s permission to change its name to Burger King.

A board decision is expected in the coming days.

While Guiao will remain as coach of the all-pro Philippine Team that will compete in this year’s FIBA-Asia Championship in China, Abanilla said his status remains questionable whether or not he will continue as member of the coaching staff.

The resignation of the 49-year-old Guiao from Red Bull was triggered by the team’s latest trade that shipped guards Cyrus Baguio and Celino Cruz to Air21 for two first round picks in the PBA Rookie Draft -- one in 2011 and the other in 2012.

In his eight and-a-half seasons with the Bulls, the fiery mentor compiled a win-loss record of 245-201 (0.549 percent). He also steered the team to three PBA titles, 2000 and 2001 Commissioner's Cup, and the 2005-06 Fiesta Cup.

His coaching career record is 429-389 (0.524).

In the off-season, the Bulls traded bigman Mick Pennisi to San Miguel Beer, as well as point guard Topex Robinson and forward Paolo Bugia to Purefoods.

Last season, they also dealt Larry Fonacier to Magnolia (now SMB), Junthy Valenzuela to Ginebra and Rich Alvarez to Purefoods. Prior to the 2006-07 Fiesta Cup, Red Bull traded center Rico Villanueva to Magnolia.

Red Bull finished last in the Philippine Cup, the first time in nine conferences or since the same conference in 2004-05.

[nardy]

http://www.abante-tonite.com/img2009/tonite_header7.jpg
January 21, 2009 Wednesday

http://www.abante-tonite.com/img2009/logo/LAYKDATAN.jpg
Red Bull is not going to disband

FULL STORY (http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/jan2109/sports_laykdatan.htm)

[ramzaruglia]

http://www.abante-tonite.com/img2009/tonite_header7.jpg
January 21, 2009 Wednesday

http://www.abante-tonite.com/img2009/logo/LAYKDATAN.jpg
Red Bull is not going to disband

FULL STORY (http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/jan2109/sports_laykdatan.htm)

Great, but how they can recover from losing Baguio and Cruz? The next draft would be this August(if I'm right), and the incoming draft is a bit shallow. And who will take charge on the team now Guiao is in Burger King? They had a half-a-ton of problems to solve. I hope they are still formidable and dangerous, as they are these past years, without those key factors.

[ramzaruglia]

This is from Snow Badua, on yesterday's NBN Sports.

He said on the air that Mikee Romero is really aiming to join the Harbour Center team to the big league. He said it when he was interviewing Mr. Romero about it. He still verifying it, and maybe, he will guest him on the show. What would it be!! Awesome!!

[nardy]

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Saturday - Sunday, January 24 - 25, 2009

Red Bull 5 wants Isaac
By Rey Joble

LEO Isaac, the former Ginebra Gin King, is a success story of a player-turned-coach.

This is the reason why it’s no surprise to see him coach in the Philippine Basketball Association one day.

The Red Bull Barakos, orphaned by their head coach at the end of a miserable Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup campaign, are reportedly seeking the services of the former Ginebra star, who rose to prominence as a player of Robert Jaworski from the mid-’80s to the early ’90s.

Now a winning coach in the collegiate and amateur commercial leagues, Isaac is now one of the top candidates to fill the void left by multi-titled PBA mentor Yeng Guiao.

Guiao, also the appointed coach of the national team to the Fiba Asia Men’s Basketball Championship this year, has resigned as coach of the Barakos, ending a nine-year partnership with the Photokina franchise.

A highly placed source told Standard Today that Red Bull management is now discussing the possibility of having Isaac on board after Gee Abanilla, the team’s assistant coach, reportedly turned down the head coaching position because of his other commitments in the Philippine Basketball League and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

[mayfel]

Kenneth-Bo tandem for Coke Tigers


By Beth Celis
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:13:00 01/25/2009
MANILA, Philippines—Many people were a bit surprised when Coke hired former Air21 head coach Bo Perasol to assist head mentor Kenneth Duremdes on the bench.

Where was the connection? I, like several others, wondered. Kenneth was from Adamson U while Bo was a product of the University of the Philippines.

Had they worked or played together in their pre-PBA days? Or could it be that Bo was a personal choice of Coke team manager/governor Jose Bayani “JB” Baylon who’s also an alumnus of UP?

* * *

According to Kenneth, who was recently signed by Baylon to a three-year contract, Bo was his personal choice.

“Like me Bo also hails from Marbel, although his family moved to GenSan when he was in high school. We both attended Notre Dame,” Kenneth said.

“I chose Bo not because he’s my schoolmate and kababayan but because I believe his experience as Air 21 head coach will be a big help to the Tigers. Adapting his system will hopefully improve our team on fastbreak plays.

In addition to Bo, George Ella will also be assisting Kenneth, while Gerard Francisco will continue to be the assistant team manager to Baylon.

* * *

While Coke has formally announced changes in its coaching staff, Red Bull is expected to make theirs this coming week, as the Chinese lunar calendar ushers in the year of the hard-working ox on Jan. 26.

“This coming PBA second conference, the Barakos will carry the name of our new product Barako Bull. This is a new energy drink that tastes exactly like Red Bull but costs so much less,” said Barako Bull alternate governor Raffy Casyao, who has yet to announce the name of the new head coach who will replace Yeng Guiao.

Will it be Yeng’s former assistant Gee Abanilla, Leo Isaac, Leo Austria or Eric Altamirano?

* * *

I didn’t get this straight from the horse’s mouth, but it’s easy to believe that Rain or Shine owners Raymond Yu and Terry Que were not exactly devastated when their team failed to make it to the semifinals of the ongoing Philippine Cup.

“The owners said they’ll take it one step at a time. Right now they’re more than happy that their won games have more than doubled this season compared to the last, and the profile and character of the team have been tremendously enhanced.

“At least, hindi na daw sila ang first to pick sa rookie draft this August. Kasi pag first, it only means na kulelat ka,” said the Welcoat insider.

http://sports.inquirer.net/inquirersports/inquirersports/view/20090125-185419/Kenneth-Bo-tandem-for-Coke-Tigers

[mj_pure_playa]

Hi guys! I am new here.. But I have with basketball my whole life!!!!

I just have a questions that every aspiring Coach or General Manager like me here in Philipines would want to ask...
What the hell is going on the trades in the PBA??? almost all of the trades in the PBA was just one sided. From Hatfield and Reavis
trade to Brgy. Ginebra to Red Bull's everlasting player give away players to other teams...
Not to mention trading away one of the
talented Forward Center Jay Washington to San Miguel to a small guy Castro who on the other hand, talk n text have
Mighty mouse on the team.

As much as I love the NBA for its competitiveness not just on the hardcourt but in their offices as well..
NBA teams will do anything to pull down other teams. But why in the PBA, especially redbull would rather sell their
best player available, namely Tugade, Pennisi, Valenzuela, Villanueva, and just recently Baguio.. And I guess
there is still a lot more that I havent mentioned yet. So what's up about those player movements?
Does the PBA wants to have more competitive teams, rather than pure entertainment??? why does PBA create somewhat like
Salary Cap for each team to minimize max players to each team???

[mayfel]

Guiao holds Air21 practice





National coach Yeng Guiao will meet his new team for the first time when Air21 holds its first practice session today for the season-ending PBA Fiesta Cup at the Reyes gym in Mandaluyong City.


"In my previous coaching job I started from scratch," said Guiao. "But this team is a ready made team. It would only take a little less time to adjust for this team to reach its maximum potential. I’m not worried because this team has talent."

Guiao will reunite with former players Cyrus Baguio, Celino Cruz and Homer Se.

Last Friday, Guiao and his players met with Mikee Romero who is expected to become a part owner of the team which, pending PBA board approval, would be renamed Burger King.

Guiao made his PBA coaching debut in 1990 when he joined then rookie team Swift, which he steered to two championships. He became Red Bull mentor when the team made its entry to the league in 2000.
http://www.mb.com.ph/SPRT20090126146557.html

[The_Big_Cat]

3 Team Blockbuster trade featuring Air21, Purefoods and Ginebra.

Air21 traded away Don Allado and Nino Canaleta to Purefoods in exchange for Beau Belga, Chico Lanete, Chad Alonso and their 2009 1st round draft pick.

Air21 then ships JC Intal, Doug Kramer and Chico Lanete to Ginebra in exchange for a 2012 1st round pick.

[dxjayrock2008]

I hoped that coach yeng can duplicate his coaching success to air 21/burger king. The team has a lot of potentials of being a championship caliber squad. He might transform it from a run & gun to a tough defensive team. By the way, Homer Se and Wynne Arboleda are bunch of brawlers. :D

[kerouac82]

3 Team Blockbuster trade featuring Air21, Purefoods and Ginebra.

Air21 traded away Don Allado and Nino Canaleta to Purefoods in exchange for Beau Belga, Chico Lanete, Chad Alonso and their 2009 1st round draft pick.

Air21 then ships JC Intal, Doug Kramer and Chico Lanete to Ginebra in exchange for a 2012 1st round pick.

Ooh. Intal, Kramer, and Escalona. Ateneo's 2006 "Three Kings" are back in one team. :D

Anyway, this trade is good for all parties concerned. Air21 unloads its crowded SF/SG/PF rotation, and gets a decent backup center and a potential enforcer. Also, with the 2012 1st round pick, it gets first dibs on the cream of our 2012 national training pool.

Purefoods gets both a good starting/backup center to backstop E-Vill and a decent PF/SF to back up Raymundo.

Ginebra gets an athletic wingman in Intal (who should blossom in the BGK scheme of things), a good backup PF in Kramer, and a clutch shooter in Lanete. Lanete should give Ginebra the outside shooting it lacked with Helterbrand and Caguioa out with injuries. However, either Escalona or JR Aquino would be relegated to the bench again or relegated to the PBL.

[dxjayrock2008]

Is that a freeway/expressway trades? :D

[The_Big_Cat]

Ooh. Intal, Kramer, and Escalona. Ateneo's 2006 "Three Kings" are back in one team. :D

I'm a bit worried for Escalona.
At present, Ginebra has Helterbrand as its starter then either Artadi or Pacana as the reliever and Macky as the third-string. With the entry of 2-time PBL Mythical Five member Chico Lanete something's gonna give. Someone will have to go considering the next conference is import layden.

[rhk111]

3 Team Blockbuster trade featuring Air21, Purefoods and Ginebra.

Air21 traded away Don Allado and Nino Canaleta to Purefoods in exchange for Beau Belga, Chico Lanete, Chad Alonso and their 2009 1st round draft pick.

Air21 then ships JC Intal, Doug Kramer and Chico Lanete to Ginebra in exchange for a 2012 1st round pick.

Nino Canaleta has been consistently inconsistent, no wonder he was shipped out.

Three players for Ginebra's 2012 first round pick? But those three has been just average players at best. JC Intal never lived up to his hype, while Kramer and Lanete had their moments, but only short-lived moments.

Maybe Intal will do better with Ginebra's running style. Guys like Helterbrand and Artadi are legit speedsters.

[regierr]

Intal might have limited minutes again - Caguiao (if he's healthy), Tubid, Salvacion, Wilson, Valenzuela, and even JJ at sg crowd the 2 and 3 positions.

I like Canaleta at PF he'll definitely help in the offensive department and maybe PF will change their mentality from a two-man team to a three-man team :D.

I expect Belga to improve a lot under Guiao.

[nardy]

Intal might have limited minutes again - Caguiao (if he's healthy), Tubid, Salvacion, Wilson, Valenzuela, and even JJ at sg crowd the 2 and 3 positions.

I like Canaleta at PF he'll definitely help in the offensive department and maybe PF will change their mentality from a two-man team to a three-man team :D.

I expect Belga to improve a lot under Guiao.


http://www.pna.gov.ph/Project/Head1.gif
Monday, January 26, 2009

Air21 trades four players to Ginebra, Purefoods

MANILA, Jan. 26 (PNA) – After acquiring the services of former Red Bull headcoach and now national team mentor Yeng Guiao, the Air21 Express took another surprising move on Monday when it traded four players, including former three-time slam-dunk champion Nino Caneleta.

Caneleta was shipped to Purefoods, along with center Don Allado and Chico Lanete, in exchange for Richard Alonzo and Beau Belga, two players who once played for Burger King in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL).

Air21, however, included Lanete in another trade that also involved its two more players -- JC Intal and center Dough Kramer in exchange for Ginebra’s 2012 and 2013 first round picks.

With the exodus of its four players, the Express are left with only one legitimate center, JR Quinahan, who will be reinforced by Belga.

The Air21 management has already acquired late last year the services of former Red Bull players Cyrus Baguio and Celino Cruz.

Still in the Air21’s line-up are Wynne Arboleda, Arwind Santos, Gary David, Adonis Sta. Maria, Homer Se, Pocholo Villanueva, Marvin Cruz and Egay Billiones.

Guiao, a five-time PBA champion, resigned from Red Bull during the Christmas holidays.

Air21 which has recently requested the PBA to change its name to Burger King, has not yet won a championship since entering the country’s premier league in 2002.

(PNA)
DCT/jfm

With Allado, Kramer, Canaleta and Intal too soft for Guiao's rough physical style of basketball, they have to go.

Heard that after the PBL PG Flex Linoleum Cup, Harbour Centre favorites Jerwyn Gaco and Al Vergara (an ex-Singapore Slinger) would be joining the team as part of the side agreement between Mikee Romero and the present Burger King owners for his capital infusion. These two players are free-agents and can go to any team as Gaco joined the 2005 Rookie draft was not selected while in the 2006 Rookie draft, Vergara was not selected.

A another rookie free-agent who I feel could fit and blosoom under Guiao's system is Letran's Eric Rodriguez, what do you think? I just feel sorry for this guy, he is definitely a better player than Mark Andaya and Gilbert Lao but even though he has the talent, he is shorter than them so they are in the PBA while Eric is still bring ignored.

Also had to question the above article's inclusion of the name of Adonis Sta. Maria, as the said player is already playing for the Pampanga Buddies in the Liga Pilipinas.

Am excited as we are to see Wynne Arboleda, Gary David and Arwin Santos fitting-in well into the tough stance which Guiao wants plus the reicarnation of the Bruise Brothers in Homer Se and Beau Belga .... maybe not as potent as Yoyoy Villamin and Ricky Relosa. But the Centers and Power Forwards of the other teams better watch out, these two plus JR Quinahan would make it hard to play under the basket for the opposing team especially with Coach Yeng Guiao telling them what to do. Chad Alonzo is also not a softee kind of a player :cool:

[ankle breaker]

chico lanete played for purefoods this conference before they got booted out in the WC phase. was he traded to air21 or he was released by purefoods to join air21?

[RetiredJordanStopper]

salary wise, if you look at it, KG and Allado for Belga and Alonzo, and Intal and Kramer for draft picks just doesnt compute. I mean, do the PBA teams really follow the terms in the salary cap? no way the SMC teams' payroll are all within or under the maximum cap, and in the same light, no way Red Bull's is over the minumum cap.

[nardy]

chico lanete played for purefoods this conference before they got booted out in the WC phase. was he traded to air21 or he was released by purefoods to join air21?



Chico was initially acquired from Purefoods together with Richard Alonzo and Beau Belga by Air 21 in exchage for KG Caneleta and Don Allado.

Then Air21 included Lanete in another trade that also involved JC Intal and center Dough Kramer in exchange for Ginebra’s 2012 and 2013 first round picks.

So Chico Lanete will now be playing for the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. This confused me as Ginebra is actually overloaded with players who could play point guard namely Jayjay Helterbrand, Junthy Valenzuela, Paul Artadi, Chris Pacana and Macky Escalona plus Johnny Abbarientos who can always be called from the reserve list. I think there would still be a move for any of the above Ginebra players. Sister team San Miguel needs an able point guard, since Olsen Racela is not getting any younger, Mike Cortez out for a major surgery, Jonas Villanueva not mature enough, the Froilan Baguion experiment did not work out and Bonbon Custodio is not really fit to handle the point. Former sister team Coca-cola is also in need since Alex Cabagnot is their only true point guard, with Aris Dimaunahan, Mark Macapagal and if needed John Arigo are Cabagnot's back-ups. Another team that needs a point guard is Red Bull as after Warren Ybañez they're forced to convert Paolo Hubalde, Magnum Membrere and Jojo Duncil.

[nardy]

salary wise, if you look at it, KG and Allado for Belga and Alonzo, and Intal and Kramer for draft picks just doesnt compute. I mean, do the PBA teams really follow the terms in the salary cap? no way the SMC teams' payroll are all within or under the maximum cap, and in the same light, no way Red Bull's is over the minumum cap.

San Miguel like Talk N Text are paying a penalty for being above the salary cap, it's like the NBA's "luxury tax" but the PBA does not divulge how much they are receiving.

As of now there is still confusion with regards to Red Bull's case. You are correct, in all probability they are below minimum.

[nardy]

http://www.sportsnews.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1731&Itemid=1 (http://www.sportsnews.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1731&Itemid=1)

PUREFOODS ACQUIRES ALLADO, CANALETA; GINEBRA GETS INTAL, KRAMER
by dennis PRINCIPE
Monday, 26 January 2009

Seven players will be wearing new uniforms when the PBA’s Fiesta Conference opens shop next month.

Purefoods TJ Giants, hampered by injuries to players expected to deliver on offense this season got two talented players in Don Allado and Nino Canaleta from Air21. The Giants had to let go of Beau Belga, Chad Alonzo, Chico Lanete and their 2013 draft pick.

“We have acknowledged identified our weakness in the last conference which is scoring. Those two will definitely help us to more or less address our choke point because they are known as good offensive players,” said coach Ryan Gregorio when contacted by SportsNews.ph.

Gregorio said his team has become predictably a Kerby Raymundo-James Yap team especially down the stretch and now feels his new recruits will help a lot in addressing that problem.

"It will definitely alleviate our problems in relying too much from James and Kerby in scoring. One thing certain is that we will play according to their strengths. KG is probably the best finisher in the open court,” said Gregorio “You give him the ball, he knows what to do with it. We will try not to make things complicated. With them on board it will open up the paint for us.”

The Express meanwhile immediately shipped Lanete along with JC Intal and Doug Kramer to Barangay Ginebra for the Gin Kings 2012 and 2013 draft picks.

“For me it’s not really a blockbuster trade because we feel it will just fill in our injured spots. It’s not really a trade that will turn the team around. It will help the team but it’s more on answering the need to fill in our injured spots,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

Uichico said Junthy Valenzuela recently underwent operation which the multi-titled mentor refused to divulge. Uichico however said Valenzuela will be out of commission for about six to eight weeks.

Uichico added that they have no idea when superstar Mark Caguioa will be back. Caguioa also underwent knee operation late last year by Los Angeles Lakers team physician Steve Lombardo.

Uichico hopes his two new additions will help solve their needs sooner than expected.

“Doug is young but we’ll see what he can do. For sure it will help our frontline. We really have more five’s than we have four’s,” said Uichico “JC and Doug have good potentials but potential is potential. We still have to see if they will be able to do what I want them to do.”

Meanwhile Gregorio said management have already reached an agreement with their import Reggie Larry, a former Boise State standout who had a short stint with the Golden State Warriors during the league’s summer tournament last year.

(email writer: dgprincipe@aol.com)

[nardy]

http://www.tribune.net.ph/pics/topstories_01.png

Air21 in trading frenzy with Kings, Giants
By Julius Manicad
01/27/2009

Air21, a team with a penchant for sealing one-sided deals, yesterday shipped a pair of stars for three role players and a future pick to Purefoods, shifting the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) trading carousel to a higher gear.

The Express sent marquee players Don Allado and KG Canaleta to the Giants for Beau Belga, Chico Lanete, Chad Alonzo and 2013 first round pick in a trade that would be consumated after the players’ have secured their respective medical clearances.

But Lanete won’t be able to wear the Express’ jersey as Air21 immediately included him in a package that will also send former Ateneo stars JC Intal and Doug Kramer to Ginebra for the Kings’ 2012 and 2013 first round picks.

Ginebra coach Jong Uichico confirmed the deal, but declined to comment on who will be scratched from his powerhouse roster.

Newly-appointed Air21 mentor Yeng Guiao, however, admitted that he was caught off-guard with what could be his first test in the Bert Lina-owned franchise.

“I was not involved in that decision,” said Guiao, who left Red Bull after the management sent away the pillars of the Barakos.

And while Guiao was obviously disappointed, Purefoods mentor Ryan Gregorio was elated over the reports, saying the arrival of Allado and Canaleta eases the scoring burden of James Yap and Kerby Raymundo.


He also said that Canaleta, they will have a highly-skilled wingman while Allado will boost their frontline that already has Rico Villanueva, Raymundo and the returning Rommel Adducul.

“I need a big man who could play consistently on defense. And at 30, I think Don is still capable of doing that,” Gregorio said, adding that they are planning to tap former Boise State standout Reggie Larry for the 2009 PBA Fiesta Cup.

[nardy]

http://www.malaya.com.ph/imges/sports.jpg
TUESDAY |JANUARY 27, 2009

Express overhaul team while awaiting board nod

WHILE Air21 awaits the decision of the PBA board in its bid to have its team name changed to Burger King, the Express have also engineered a major overhaul roster-wise.

The Express traded Don Allado and Nino Canaleta to Purefoods for Beau Belga, Chad Alonzo and Chico Llanete before dealing the latter to Ginebra, along with JC Intal and Doug Kramer, for first round draft picks in 2012 and 2013.

The trades will also have to be approved by the board, however, which meets today to finally decide whether Air21 can switch to Burger King for the Fiesta Cup.

Express team manager Lito Alvarez yesterday said he is bringing additional documents he hopes would be enough to prod the board to approve the switch and the player trades.

"We had a surplus of players upon the entry of Cyrus Baguio and Celino Cruz," explained Alvarez, referring to the Red Bull players Air21 acquired before Christmas.

"What we did was to balance our lineup with a properly-planned trade deal," he said, adding they also have an eye toward the future.

"We’re happy with the talents we’ve got right now. We opted for 2012 and 2013, thinking that’s the time the likes of Wynne Arboleda and Homer Se would be retiring," Alvarez added.

"Arwind Santos is playing around 35 minutes a game for us, so more or less 13 minutes would be left for KG (Canaleta) and JC (Intal). I think KG and JC will get more exposure in their new teams," explained Alvarez, adding the same applies with Allado and Kramer.

The Giants and the Kings, meanwhile, welcomed their new recruits with open arms.

"We filled in our injured spots," said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico, whose Philippine Cup campaign was hampered by injuries to Mark Caguioa and Rafi Reavis.

"Don (Allado) will help us strengthen our rotation at center. He has a deadly perimeter jumper and solid post moves. He is also one of the best post defenders in the league. KG, on the other hand, is an explosive athlete who can score from the inside and all the way from the three-point area. He’s a consistent scorer who can compliment the games of Kerby Raymundo, James Yap and Rico Villanueva," said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.

"We had problems in scoring last conference. I hope with Allado and Canaleta on board, our inability to score can be addressed," Gregorio added.

[RetiredJordanStopper]

poor poor yeng..he was bypassed again in the personel change decision, the curse of red bull is still haunting him.

[nardy]

poor poor yeng..he was bypassed again in the personel change decision, the curse of red bull is still haunting him.

it's that way in professional basketball at present times .... gone were the days that it is the coach who decides which players that forms the team .... now in the PBA and even the NBA, a lot of times the coach is the last to know. Management would always say it is for business purposes, in other words it's still MONEY TALKS

[RayV]

poor poor yeng..he was bypassed again in the personel change decision, the curse of red bull is still haunting him.

Hahaha... I was thinking the same thing! Come to think of it though, Air21 is also notorious in doing one-sided (and sometimes nonsensical) trades like Red Bull so I was really not that surprised (just don't try and also trade away my main man for a ridiculously dumb offer or I'll be darned).... A bit surprised that after all their recent giveaways they decided to keep Cholo Villanueva?? :D Maybe there are no willing takers or maybe they'll try his luck on Yeng's system and see if he'll improve or not... Am not sure if they're cutting costs after getting a Cyrus Baguio but they traded away Allado too... hmm.... Also am a bit concerned on their choice of players to get in return but hopefully they could blossom under Yeng's system the way Gabby Espinas did...

I am also hoping that they do not waste these 2012 and 2013 picks and get people who could truly contribute to the team (bigmen that would possibly give us more size)

Sheesh... 2012 and 2013? Damn, that's quite a long time of waiting and rebuilding... will the PBA still be around by that time?? Hahaha! :D

[aarpee]

Ooh. Intal, Kramer, and Escalona. Ateneo's 2006 "Three Kings" are back in one team. :D

Anyway, this trade is good for all parties concerned. Air21 unloads its crowded SF/SG/PF rotation, and gets a decent backup center and a potential enforcer. Also, with the 2012 1st round pick, it gets first dibs on the cream of our 2012 national training pool.

Purefoods gets both a good starting/backup center to backstop E-Vill and a decent PF/SF to back up Raymundo.


but they lost a point guard, which they are lacking..
roger yap/pj simon/aaron aban they are not all pure pg's

[reamily]

it's that way in professional basketball at present times .... gone were the days that it is the coach who decides which players that forms the team .... now in the PBA and even the NBA, a lot of times the coach is the last to know. Management would always say it is for business purposes, in other words it's still MONEY TALKS

Still the truth that BK does not have the money unlike san miguel and tnt to have an overloaded lineup:D:D

[The_Big_Cat]

So Chico Lanete will now be playing for the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. This confused me as Ginebra is actually overloaded with players who could play point guard namely Jayjay Helterbrand, Junthy Valenzuela, Paul Artadi, Chris Pacana and Macky Escalona plus Johnny Abbarientos who can always be called from the reserve list.

This is what puzzles me also.
Ginebra did not trade away any players but instead got three more in their lineup which means with an import-layden conference coming up someone or people will be traded.

Or you can look it this way. It is a precautionary measure in case Rafi Reavis and Mark Caguioa do not get healthy by the start of the 2nd conference.

[bolabasket]

I wonder what Paul Artadi will say to Chico Lanete...:D

[regierr]

poor poor yeng..he was bypassed again in the personel change decision, the curse of red bull is still haunting him.

So this is the reason. I was expecting Intal or Canaleta will be retained because they could’ve flourished under Guiao’s system. I don’t expect Guiao to trade away sg’s or sf’s because they are the focal point/s of his system. Even if RB traded Valenzuela and Tugade, he was able to find replacements that have similar abilities. He maintained the fluidity and unpredictability of his offense by having a deep rotation in those positions. If he had Intal, KG, Santos, David, and Baguio in his rotation, his team would have been formidable. Baguio, Santos, and David is a deep rotation but it's not as deep as it could've been.

[nardy]

http://images.gmanews.tv/gmanewstvlogo.jpg

PBA board approves Air21 name change
01/27/2009 | 10:19 PM

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Board of Governors Tuesday finally gave its go signal for Air21 to change its name to Burger King starting next conference without any amount of transfer fee involved.

PBA board chairman Joaqui Trillo said that everything Air21 presented as documents proving that Burger King is a subsidiary of the Airfreight 2100 holding company met its purpose.

“The documents that Burger King submitted were in order after they were reviewed by our legal department (Atty. Melvin Mendoza)," said Trillo.

“They complied with the requirements and it’s all that we wanted. Burger King is owned by the Lina family, which is why they don’t need to pay a transfer fee. There was no transfer of ownership involved.

Lito Alvarez, team manager of Burger King, was just relieved that the issue is all over.

“We expected this from the very start and we’re happy that the board finally accepted our change in name," he said. “The documents showed proof that the owners of Airfreight 2100 and Burger King are the same holding company, which is Lina Corporate Services."

The Linas have a 60 percent stake in Burger King, with telecommunications tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan, team owner of Talk ‘N Text, allegedly having a 13 percent share.

Now, are Burger King and Talk ‘N Text considered sister teams?

As far as PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios is concerned, they are not. But they will not be allowed to directly trade players with each other.

Barrios said that Alvarez “voluntarily made a representation" that Burger King will never deal in player-swapping or in any kind of sort with the Tropang Texters.

“Mr. Alvarez made a voluntary representation that they will not deal directly with Talk ‘N Text," said Barrios. “It was an offer Air21 made when it formally presented its desire to change its name to Burger King some two weeks back."

[ankle breaker]

they may not directly deal with TNT but as always, they will always a team to be used as conduit for that deal. just like what SMB, PF, BGK and perhaps Coke did before. so that still negates the process and the rule of the league. because no matter what they are going to do as long as it's not direct that deal or trade looks legit. what a mess.

[nardy]

they may not directly deal with TNT but as always, they will always a team to be used as conduit for that deal. just like what SMB, PF, BGK and perhaps Coke did before. so that still negates the process and the rule of the league. because no matter what they are going to do as long as it's not direct that deal or trade looks legit. what a mess.


even though the people in control may be considered as true professionals or gentlemen businessmen .... with money on the line and self-interest is the prevailing norm ..... then utmost trust with each other would not happen. :(

[nardy]

Do you think is this also possible for the Red Bull fans to do for their team or if the Filipino Fans can do for their favorite basketball team???? :rolleyes:


http://www.pna.gov.ph/Project/Head1.gif
Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Fans of Vasco da Gama help team get out of debt

RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 28 (PNA/Xinhua) -- The Friends of Vasco Association (AAV) said on Tuesday that they will try to help the Vasco da Gama soccer team to get out of debt.

The team currently is indebted to the tune of some 50 million U.S. dollars. The fan group association hopes that the monetary aid will help the team to be able to become more competitive and crawl out of the hole in which they are currently in.

The association counts on individual donations from its members. Such members include the former state governor, Sergio Cabral Filho, businessmen, judges, economists.

The president of the association is economist Isac Zagury. The aspiration of the group is to offer a sense of relief to the club's president, Roberto Dinamite.

The president is currently seeking the renewal of old sponsors as well as the signing of new ones, which will help to get the club out of the financial hole.

According to Zagury, "The situation at Vasco is so severe that it needs immediate attention. The cost of the team's debt compromises the daily activity of the team. In any business's case like this, they would attempt to renegotiate with the creditors and try to drastically reduce the amount of their debt."

The Friends of Vasco Association plans on a relief program that will extend over the next two years. Their main goal is to alleviate the team's financial problems, allowing them to become more competitive and competent.

The current situation has proved to be troublesome to the 2009 team. In their first match, Vasco lost by a score of 2-0.

(PNA/Xinhua)
scs/ebp

[The_Big_Cat]

Chad Alonzo and Beau Belga will be reunited with Mikee Romero in Burger King when the PBA Fiesta Conference starts.

Belga and Alonzo played for Romero's Harbour Centre in the PBL.

[nardy]

I smell something fishy, initially a number of PBA board members seems to be not bent on approving the change of Air21's name to Burger King for justifiable reasons. Then all of a sudden there is an 11-player trade involving Air21 with San Miguel Corp's sister teams Purefoods and Ginebra in which newly appointed Head Coach Yeng Guiao was not consulted. It is greatly known why Guiao left Red Bull is that he was peeved because RB Management did not involve him in the decision making of player movements. Then Air21 does this to Yeng ..... hmmm what a "nice" way to start out things with your new coach. But surprise .... surprise .... not long after the said trade, the PBA board approves Burger King as the new name of Air 21 without a hitch. What a very convenient situation .... well what can we do, that's how business in basketball is done. Might as well live with it.

[LordOfLeyte]

Do you think is this also possible for the Red Bull fans to do for their team or if the Filipino Fans can do for their favorite basketball team???? :rolleyes:

Though I love underdogs.... no. Not a single cent and I am sure our fellowmen would rather scrimp and spare unnecessary expenses as compromise.

[reamily]

I smell something fishy, initially a number of PBA board members seems to be not bent on approving the change of Air21's name to Burger King for justifiable reasons. Then all of a sudden there is an 11-player trade involving Air21 with San Miguel Corp's sister teams Purefoods and Ginebra in which newly appointed Head Coach Yeng Guiao was not consulted. It is greatly known why Guiao left Red Bull is that he was peeved because RB Management did not involve him in the decision making of player movements. Then Air21 does this to Yeng ..... hmmm what a "nice" way to start out things with your new coach. But surprise .... surprise .... not long after the said trade, the PBA board approves Burger King as the new name of Air 21 without a hitch. What a very convenient situation .... well what can we do, that's how business in basketball is done. Might as well live with it.

this is the "transfer fee":D of BK hehehehe

[nardy]

Now we know the real reason why Air 21 wants out of the PBA.

just heard in the news about the closure of Air 21 at Subic Bay which had rendered all their employees jobless. It would illogical to have a basketball team paying millions of pesos to its players while laying-off thousand of employees because you cannot pay them anymore.

[ankle breaker]

does it mean that fedex cancelled it's franchise with air21?

[nardy]

http://www.malaya.com.ph/imges/sports.jpg
THURSDAY |JANUARY 29, 2009

Some things won’t change for new-look Barako quint
BY NOLI CORTEZ

THERE are some things that won’t change for Red Bull owner George Chua despite a new-look team sporting a brand-new product name in the PBA Fiesta Cup kicking off on Feb. 28.

"From the coaching staff to brand name bago, pero ‘yung character ng team na palaban nand’yan pa din. Nakatatak na ‘yun," Chua said Tuesday night during a dinner with several sportswriters at the Red Bull office in West Avenue, Quezon City.

His team, Chua bared, will now sport the name Barako Bull Energy Boosters, with former Ginebra star Leo Isaac as head coach in lieu of the resigned Yeng Guiao. Isaac has been signed to an initial three-conference contract.

"We wanted a new beginning, a new direction, with the spirit of the old Red Bull," he added.

Isaac, according to the amiable owner, will be assisted by Gee Abanilla, Ariel Vanguardia and Raymund Celis.

"He (Isaac) is a perfect fit for the team because of his ‘never-say-die’ character, which he developed as a player of Ginebra in the 80s, and then as coach in the PBL and in collegiate leagues," Chua pointed out.

Also part of the team’s new look is the acquisition of John Arigo, recently released by Coca-Cola, and the return of Reed Juntilla. The team, according to Chua, is currently in the hunt for another big man and a point guard.

Retained in the line-up were Mike Hrabak, Carlo Sharma, Leo Najorda, Gabby Espinas, Jojo Duncil, Warren Ybanez, Magnum Membrere, Paolo Hubalde, Mike Holper, as well as rookies Larry Rodriguez and Jeff Chan.

"With a good import, tingin ko mas lalakas ang team na ito than the one that debuted in 2000," said Chua.

Since joining the PBA in 2000, Red Bull has won three titles, wound up second twice and established a league-record of seven straight Final Four stints.

The resignation of Guiao last Dec. 27, however, prompted Chua to fast-track the Barako Bull debut in the 39-player energy drink market.

"That doesn’t mean we’re crowding Red Bull in the market since it is of the high-end quality samantalang ang Barako Bull is more affordably priced at a suggested retail price of only P14.75 but with the same high-quality taste we’re sure Filipinos will love," Chua said.

Andy Jao is the new team manager, taking over from Tony Chua who will remain as the Energy Boosters’ representative to the PBA Board.

Jao said they are currently in the process of selecting their import from a short list provided by their scouts. He declined to reveal the names of the candidates.

[ankle breaker]

a new lease of life for john arigo. im sure he's going to carry the team who doesn't have any superstar in it's fold. it's also the time for gabby espinas to prove himself of being the 1st rookie-MVP in the NCAA is not a fluke and he's worthy for it. at the same time mike hrabak has to redeem himself as the 2nd pick overall. darkhorses jeff chan and jojo duncil can provide spark for the team in the offensive end.

[nardy]

does it mean that fedex cancelled it's franchise with air21?

am not really sure as the news items at GMA 7 focused on the mass layoffs that happened in the different Economic Zones here in the Philippines with Air 21 one of the biggest casualties as they closed shop in Subic.

What is sure is that FedEx would be ceasing operations at Subic come March since they have long decided to transfer their hub to Shanghai, China.

It's really saddening to hear a lot of people losing their jobs. I do hope the players in the PBA would make the sacrifice and accept pay-cuts as on the long run if the Global Financial Crisis lingers for a long time, it would make the maintainance of a PBA team unbearable to sustain.

[nardy]

A another rookie free-agent who I feel could fit and blosoom under Guiao's system is Letran's Eric Rodriguez, what do you think? I just feel sorry for this guy, he is definitely a better player than Mark Andaya and Gilbert Lao but even though he has the talent, he is shorter than them so they are in the PBA while Eric is still being ignored.

As per Yeng Guiao, there might be a few more changes with the Burger King team and my hunch seems to be correct, as per the news article at People's Taliba of Theodore P. Jurado, Eric Rodriguez is now trying-out for the team at the Reyes Gym sa Mandaluyong Cit. There is also probable a problem with the choice of the import, the 2006 and 2007 Fiesta Conference Air21 import Shawn Daniels is the one management wants to tap again but he seems to be not the kind of import Coach Yeng wants, here is what Yeng said on the same People's Taliba article:


“From the way I saw him (Daniels) play in the past, we need to get him in better shape because we are going to be a running team even with him in there. If we can cut down a few more pounds from him and get him into good shape, then he can adjust to our running game”

[nardy]

Hey guys, according to Beth Celis:


Burger King head of basketball operations Mikee Romero wants to pluck out of the teams that drafted them are Jason Castro of Talk ‘N Text and Solomon Mercado of Rain or Shine.

He is said to be talking to MVP and the Welcoat management in releasing the players to Burger King. But since this was earlier said:


Now, are Burger King and Talk ‘N Text considered sister teams?

As far as PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios is concerned, they are not. But they will not be allowed to directly trade players with each other.

Barrios said that Alvarez “voluntarily made a representation" that Burger King will never deal in player-swapping or in any kind of sort with the Tropang Texters.

“Mr. Alvarez made a voluntary representation that they will not deal directly with Talk ‘N Text," said Barrios. “It was an offer Air21 made when it formally presented its desire to change its name to Burger King some two weeks back."

Getting Castro would not be an easy thing as we expect protests from the other teams. An alternative is that they could elevate either Al Vergara or Boyet Bautista both now playing for Harbour Centre in the PBL as both are classified by the PBA as free-agents.

[nardy]

http://www.mb.com.ph/images/header.jpg
Thursday, January 29, 2009

New name and coach for Red Bull
By TITO TALAO AND WAYLON GALVEZ

A different name, a coaching change, a more delightful flavor, a fresh start said Red Bull owner George Chua who announced that the team is alive and kicking and will compete in the coming PBA Fiesta Cup

"We wanted a new beginning, a different direction," said George Chua who announced yesterday that Red Bull will henceforth be known as the Barako Bull.

Chua said his company has cut its ties with Red Bull and will carry the new name and the new product although there’s not much change at all in the name.

The team will be introduced as the Energy Boosters in the PBA Fiesta Cup next month.

Meeting a dozen sportswriters and columnists at his penthouse in Quezon City in a belated celebration of the Chinese New Year, Chua bared that their new product is locally made and "boasts off superior taste, long-lasting efficacy and is the most affordably prized among all other energy drinks in the market."

He also said the team logo will no longer be that of two bulls locking horns — the emblem of the Thai-based company whose product the Chuas used to distribute — but of a frontal outline of a single bull’s head.

The Energy Boosters will have a new face calling the shots from the bench: former Ginebra star and Air21 assistant Leo Isaac, who will take over from Yeng Guiao, now the Burger King mentor.

Chua said he was impressed with Isaac’s willingness to work with a young team, getting won over by the soft-spoken but intensely competitive Isaac during talks following Guiao’s departure.

Asked whether his close friend Robert Jaworski, who coached Ginebra at the height of its manic popularity in the ‘80s and ‘90s, has a hand in their choice of Isaac, Chua demurred before adding: "Mag-ninong sila pero coach Leo has his own merits."

Isaac will have as his lieutenants holdover assistant Gee Abanilla, NCAA mentor Ariel Vanguardia, handpicked by team consultant Andy Jao, and RP girls coach Raymond Celis.

Chua spoke candidly about Guiao’s resignation.

"No, I don’t harbor any ill feelings toward him dahil mahaba rin yung pinagsamahan namin. But I was really surprised that he resigned," Chua said. "Siguro akala niya talaga magdi-disband na kami."

The global economic crisis, Chua admitted, hit the family’s business hard last year.

"But things are starting to turn around," he said, adding their new energy drink product hopefully would jumpstart their briefly stalled business ventures.

"Ganoon pa rin naman kami — matapang, lumalaban. Sabi nga, "Ang bumangga, giba!" Chua said. "Meron nga lang kaming bagong pananaw, bagong mukha, at bagong pag-asa."

[jesronne]

a new lease of life for john arigo. im sure he's going to carry the team who doesn't have any superstar in it's fold. it's also the time for gabby espinas to prove himself of being the 1st rookie-MVP in the NCAA is not a fluke and he's worthy for it. at the same time mike hrabak has to redeem himself as the 2nd pick overall. darkhorses jeff chan and jojo duncil can provide spark for the team in the offensive end.

they are loaded with guards.... membrere, chan, duncil, najorda, hubalde,

[C2Hamm]

they are loaded with guards.... membrere, chan, duncil, najorda, hubalde,

najorda isnt a guard....

[mayfel]

red bull is back with a vengeance..
ad they recruit john arigo who is a bonafide scorer..
on the other hand,with the arrivel of canaleta and allado to giants,the yap led team solidify their frontline..
they can use kg at number 3..
for ginebra another bigman and a tall wing guy

[bolabasket]

Purefoods lineup after the trade:

6'0 Roger Yap G
6'3 James Yap G
6'6 KG Cañaleta F
6'7 Kerby Raymundo FC
6'6 Don Allado C
6'3 Rico Villanueva CC
6'0 Peter June Simon G
6'3 Aaron Aban F
6'6 Rommel Adducul C
????


with Lanete gone, they're looking for a PG...

[The_Big_Cat]

Purefoods lineup after the trade:

6'0 Roger Yap G
6'3 James Yap G
6'6 KG Cañaleta F
6'7 Kerby Raymundo FC
6'6 Don Allado C
6'3 Rico Villanueva CC
6'0 Peter June Simon G
6'3 Aaron Aban F
6'6 Rommel Adducul C
????


with Lanete gone, they're looking for a PG...

Veteran back-up point guard Topex Robinson is part of the Purefoods team as well.

[aarpee]

Purefoods lineup after the trade:

6'0 Roger Yap G
6'3 James Yap G
6'6 KG Cañaleta F
6'7 Kerby Raymundo FC
6'6 Don Allado C
6'3 Rico Villanueva CC
6'0 Peter June Simon G
6'3 Aaron Aban F
6'6 Rommel Adducul C
????


with Lanete gone, they're looking for a PG...


what happened to jonathan fernandez/jondan salvador/richard yee?are they all free agents now?:confused:

[nardy]

najorda isnt a guard....

Yup Leo is a 6'3 Forward who at times played center for the San Sebastian Stags when he was the MVP of the NCAA.

6'1 Duncil, 5'11 Hubalde, 5'11 Chan and 5'11 Membrere were actually converted to guards when they entered the PBA. All of them in early in their career they acted as swingmen who could switch from small forward and shooting guard depending on the team make-up on court. If the coach goes for small ball they play as forwards then if the circumstance call for a big line-up they play as a guard. But under Coach Yeng Guiao, he experimented one time or another on all these guys to play as point guards especially last conference as they were lacking in that position.

[nardy]

what happened to jonathan fernandez/jondan salvador/richard yee?are they all free agents now?:confused:


from what I know Richard Yee was placed on the reserve list this year.

[aarpee]

from what I know Richard Yee was placed on the reserve list this year.

ah ok..and specially now that adducul is coming back and PF has improved their frontcourt, i really dont think Yee will be on the 12 man line up, i hope salvador will still be in the line up, to even more deepen their frontcourt...

and PF pointguards are old:D, i hope they can find some younger pg:o

[nardy]

ah ok..and specially now that adducul is coming back and PF has improved their frontcourt, i really dont think Yee will be on the 12 man line up, i hope salvador will still be in the line up, to even more deepen their frontcourt...

and PF pointguards are old:D, i hope they can find some younger pg:o

the over dependence on James Yap and Kerby Raymundo by Coach Ryan Gregorio is the problem of Purefoods. More people must get involved in the offense otherwise the other teams would just simply tightened their defense on Yap and Raymundo and then Tender Juicy Giants would just be eaten up alive. I do not know why Roger Yap, Peter June Simon and Chico Lanete (now with Ginebra) were all of the sudden had no plays designed for them when previously they were very much involved. Rico Villanueva at times seems to be doing his own thing than actually playing within te game plan.

Am not sure if Adducul could still turn back the hands of time when he was the dominating force in the MBA and PBL, am sure his bought with cancer has taken a lot from him but knowing Romel, he would try to show he can still do it. I do see Rich Alvarez and Jondan Salvador as players who were just not used properly, they are players who needs to go to their strength and are not chameleons who can just methamorphosis into another role and do it good. I do see KG Canaleta who can be a great offensive weapon and a dependable defender, but at Purefoods he plays the same position and style as Kerby, it's like him playing again second fiddle to Arwind Santos at Air 21.
Don Allado's stay with Alaska took away what he was during his UAAP and PBL days, hope he still has time to get it back.

[kerouac82]

I do see KG Canaleta who can be a great offensive weapon and a dependable defender, but at Purefoods he plays the same position and style as Kerby, it's like him playing again second fiddle to Arwind Santos at Air 21.

Don Allado's stay with Alaska took away what he was during his UAAP and PBL days, hope he still has time to get it back.

I actually think a frontline of KG, Rico, and Kerby would be good. There is no duplication of roles between KG and Kerby as KG is not the post player Kerby is. He is more of a slasher and spot-up shooter.

As for Rico... Well, I think he needs to think again about his role in PF. He has good post play, can run the floor, but is undersized at his position. If Allado starts, Rico can slide down to the 4, alternating with Kerby.

[aarpee]

the over dependence on James Yap and Kerby Raymundo by Coach Ryan Gregorio is the problem of Purefoods. More people must get involved in the offense otherwise the other teams would just simply tightened their defense on Yap and Raymundo and then Tender Juicy Giants would just be eaten up alive. I do not know why Roger Yap, Peter June Simon and Chico Lanete (now with Ginebra) were all of the sudden had no plays designed for them when previously they were very much involved. Rico Villanueva at times seems to be doing his own thing than actually playing within te game plan.

Am not sure if Adducul could still turn back the hands of time when he was the dominating force in the MBA and PBL, am sure his bought with cancer has taken a lot from him but knowing Romel, he would try to show he can still do it. I do see Rich Alvarez and Jondan Salvador as players who were just not used properly, they are players who needs to go to their strength and are not chameleons who can just methamorphosis into another role and do it good. I do see KG Canaleta who can be a great offensive weapon and a dependable defender, but at Purefoods he plays the same position and style as Kerby, it's like him playing again second fiddle to Arwind Santos at Air 21.
Don Allado's stay with Alaska took away what he was during his UAAP and PBL days, hope he still has time to get it back.


does this mean that Rich Alvarez wont have enough minutes again?:confused:
KG may be playing the same position and style as Kerby, but i think coach Ryan would use him more on the 3 spot, which is where they dont have enough players...

and if i remember it right, Rich has stints in alaska and redbull, after shell right?and yeng and tim are the coaches that know how to utilize a player's true strengths, but even there Rich hasn't proven much as to what is expected from him in his college days,is it because rich is not really for the pba to be a star?:(

[regierr]

does this mean that Rich Alvarez wont have enough minutes again?:confused:
KG may be playing the same position and style as Kerby, but i think coach Ryan would use him more on the 3 spot, which is where they dont have enough players...

and if i remember it right, Rich has stints in alaska and redbull, after shell right?and yeng and tim are the coaches that know how to utilize a player's true strengths, but even there Rich hasn't proven much as to what is expected from him in his college days,is it because rich is not really for the pba to be a star?:(

Rich is good enough to be a role player, how he is used is up to the coach. He should fit into PF system effectively because he could fill the void left by Pingris and they both play almost the same.

Allado I think would be a nice fit also for PF. He might be able to give Raymundo more room maneuver because of his outside shooting similar to Codinera's role for PF back then.

[saints13]

kinda off-topic - Shin Dong Pa is in town..in Uptown 21 QC... I believe he plans to reside here in RP

[rhk111]

kinda off-topic - Shin Dong Pa is in town..in Uptown 21 QC... I believe he plans to reside here in RP

A lot of Pinoys in the 70s wished this guy was Filipino, a legendary shooter, in the mold of Allan Caidic. Even more so, because he consistently made his impact in the international scene. I wonder if this guy was NBA caliber.

I heard that whenever he comes into the country, people, especially the older ones, still approach the guy to ask for his autograph or picture.

I do remember seeing his face in one of the billboards there in Manila. It was for a condominium or subdivision unit, which he was endorsing because he bought a unit there.

[saints13]

A lot of Pinoys in the 70s wished this guy was Filipino, a legendary shooter, in the mold of Allan Caidic. Even more so, because he consistently made his impact in the international scene. I wonder if this guy was NBA caliber.

I heard that whenever he comes into the country, people, especially the older ones, still approach the guy to ask for his autograph or picture.

I do remember seeing his face in one of the billboards there in Manila. It was for a condominium or subdivision unit, which he was endorsing because he bought a unit there.

it's Uptown 21 I guess, he will reside there. I heard over the radio that there will be an event which I don't know in particular, Freddie Webb and Jaworski will be there too. Shin Dong Pa was interviewed by Jobert Sucaldito over the radio through an interpreter.

[nardy]

A lot of Pinoys in the 70s wished this guy was Filipino, a legendary shooter, in the mold of Allan Caidic. Even more so, because he consistently made his impact in the international scene. I wonder if this guy was NBA caliber.

I heard that whenever he comes into the country, people, especially the older ones, still approach the guy to ask for his autograph or picture.

I do remember seeing his face in one of the billboards there in Manila. It was for a condominium or subdivision unit, which he was endorsing because he bought a unit there.


Shin Dong-Pa holds the distinction of being the only Asian to ever become the Top Scoring Leader for an entire World Basketball Championship, this happened in 1970 when the tournament was held in Ljubljana, Yugoslavia. He averaged 32.6 points per game in 8 games played. In the said WBC, 13 teams participated with South Korea, then the 1969 Asian Basketball Confederation Champions, as the sole Asian representative placing 11th overall ahead of Australia and the United Arab Republic (now back as Egypt).


http://aynsports.com/images/stories/shin__yoo_pre-practice.jpg
Legendary Scorer 6'3 Shin Dong Pa and Enforcer/2nd Best Scorer 6'2 Yoo Hee Hyung of South Korea