PBA na ulit... (continued)

**_Qwerty_** · March 5th, 2014 12:57 PM

continuation...

San Miguel Beermen — Josh Boone

Among the imports in the Commissioner’s Cup, San Miguel Beer’s Josh Boone has the most impressive pedigree, having been a first-round draft pick by the New Jersey Nets in 2006.

He was making progress as a steady contributor for the squad, but his problems at the free throw line submarined his confidence and eventually his game. Unable to latch on with another NBA team, Boone took his talents to China, where he made his mark as a dependable athletic big man.

The Beermen are taking a big risk as Boone is coming off a serious knee injury that kept him out of action for a season in the NBA D-League. At his best, he may be the most gifted import in the league, and a healthy Boone would make the most imposing frontline in the league alongside June Mar Fajardo.

But it remains to be seen how soon Boone can get back his form; in a short conference, San Miguel Beer fans better pray that he finds it sooner rather than later.

San Mig Super Coffee Mixers — James Mays

James Mays has a tough act to follow at San Mig Coffee. Apart from a forgettable game with Matt Rogers last season, Mixers fans have been spoiled as the team trotted out Denzel Bowles and Marqus Blakely — both Best Import winners — as reinforcements who eventually led the squad to a championship.

Despite being an undersized power forward in college at Clemson, Mays thrived against taller opponents because of his length and quickness. With his speed and jumping ability, he was always a highlight play waiting to happen in the NCAA.

Since leaving college in 2008, Mays has bulked up significantly, making him more effective in the low block during stints in China, Turkey, Puerto Rico, among others.

Mays is nowhere near the caliber of Bowles on offense, but he’s been known as a big-time rebounder and shotblocker in his previous stints abroad, putting him perhaps nearer to Blakely’s skillset.

He has been OK during the Mixers’ recent tuneup games and practice sessions — but merely being OK won’t be good enough for this San Mig Coffee squad looking to win a Grand Slam this season.

Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters — Richard Howell

This past week, Talk ‘N Text center Ali Peek announced his retirement from the PBA. Thankfully for the Tropang Texters, their incoming import Richard Howell plays sort of like a bigger version of the man-mountain.

Despite being an undersized, Howell has been dominant in the NBA D-League, using his hulking 260-lb. frame to boss people around.

Howell sets huge screens — Talk ‘N Text sharpshooters Jimmy Alapag and Larry Fonacier should have a field day — and is automatic when he gets the ball in the low block. He also is a beast off the boards, using position and craftiness to make up for his relative lack of explosiveness.

At just 23 years old, Howell is the youngest among this year’s batch of Commissioner’s Cup imports. Fortunately for him, he joins a veteran Talk ‘N Text squad that should be able to provide him the right environment to succeed.

**Retz** · March 5th, 2014 11:57 PM

Nice to see coach pido yet again in the pba. Air21 wins against batang pier. 4pts lang si Alex.

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**chua_riwap** · March 6th, 2014 12:43 AM

natalo global kasi di maintindihan ng import si pido. he-heh. di ba marunong mag english yan?

si terrence & cabagnot non factor.
ayan, talo.

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**Retz** · March 6th, 2014 06:01 PM

NLEX files letter of intent to formalize bid to put up PBA expansion team

PERENNIAL D-League champion NLEX has made official its intention to join the PBA.

No less than NLEX team manager Ronald Dulatre confirmed the development to Spin.ph a day after he personally submitted the letter of intent to the PBA Commissioner’s Office on Wednesday noon.

“It has been submitted. Yes, we want to elevate the level of this team. Everybody knows naman how successful our run in the D-League is. So I guess, it’s time for us to move up and join the prime league in the country … that’s the PBA,” said Dulatre.

“We firmly believe that the PBA is a good medium to showcase the talent of our players as well as the brand name of our companies under Metro Pacific, Investments,” said the youthful team official.

The jump to the pro ranks seemed a logical next step for the Road Warriors, who have won five of the first six championships contested in the PBA's developmental league.

NLEX is the third team to pass a Letter of Intent to join the pro league after Blackwater Sports and Kia Motors, whose applications are being discussed by the league board at posting time.

If ever, NLEX will become the third team under the MVP group to join the league after Talk 'N Text and Meralco.

Dulatre has long backed the move to bring the Road Warriors to the PBA, having broached the idea to Spin.ph as early as December of 2012.

“Matagal naman nang ripe ang team na ito sa pro ranks. In fact, dapat noon pa. Andami naming players na malalaki dati that we could have brought up,” said Dulatre while naming Ian Sangalang, Gregory Slaughter, Calvin Abueva, Clifford Hodge and Chris Ellis, among others.

“Sa ngayon, we feel we are ready. We still have marquee players in our fold,” he said.

The current core of NLEX is made up of reserve players of the national team under the Gilas cadet program, namely Kevin Louie Alas, Matt Ganuelas, Jakes Pascual, Ronald Pascual and Garvo Lanete.

“If given the chance, we can bring them with us and assure PBA fans that we can immediately compete with the PBA holdovers and the new teams coming in,” bared the soft-spoken team manager who has built and rebuilt the NLEX squad since the D-League began four years ago.

Once accepted into the PBA fold, Dulatre said the Road Warriors plans to carry the colors of Metro Pacific, Investments, which also controls Maynilad, St. Luke’s Hospital and other utilities and services under the Manny V. Pangilinan group.

“Ito ang alam naming medium to help promote the other companies of the group,” said Dulatre.

Source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball...ronald-dulatre

http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball...ronald-dulatre

**greenlyt** · March 6th, 2014 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by chua_riwap

natalo global kasi di maintindihan ng import si pido. he-heh. di ba marunong mag english yan?

si terrence & cabagnot non factor.
ayan, talo.

Posted via Tsikot Mobile App

dapat may interpreter si Pido

**_Qwerty_** · March 6th, 2014 06:08 PM

oo nga bakit ganon si Pido.. parang nawawala sa sarili.. napapahinto tapos tagalog nang tagalog eh maintindihan kaya sya nung import nila..

**Retz** · March 7th, 2014 11:22 AM

San Miguel hoping old problems will go away as it starts afresh with new players, coach, name

A NEW coach, a tweaked roster, and a return to a proud name hopefully work wonders for San Miguel Beer as it kicks off its PBA Commissioner’s Cup campaign on Friday against Meralco at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

With former assistant coach Biboy Ravanes now calling the shots for the team formerly known as Petron, the Beermen will be counting on former New Jersey Nets mainstay Josh Boone to lead a resurgence when they clash with the Bolts at 5:45 p.m. in the first game of a double header.

Ravanes will be working alongside team consultant Todd Purves, who is expected to take an active role coaching on the sidelines.

San Miguel top big man June Mar Fajardo is a doubtful starter though, after spraining his left ankle last Sunday in practice.

The 6-foot-10 Fajardo, Best Player of the Conference in the last Philippine Cup, sat out the team's only tune-up game Tuesday against Barako Bull which the Beermen lost, 110-114, and still skipped the Beermen's practice on Thursday.

more.....
San Miguel hoping old problems will go away as it starts afresh with new players, coach, name | PBA | SPIN.PH

San Miguel hoping old problems will go away as it starts afresh with new players, coach, name | PBA | SPIN.PH