Vergara replaces Castro in Singapore Slingers

Failing to find a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) team interested in his services proved to be a blessing in disguise for veteran guard Al Vergara.

The five-foot-seven spitfire guard, who helped Harbour Centre win championships in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL), will take the place vacated by Jason Castro after signing a P1 million four-month contract by the Singapore Slingers.

Paul Manozca, the Filipino businessman who has connections with the Slingers, made a short visit in the country last week and decided to take in Vergara from a short list of players that included former PBA most valuable player Johnny Abarientos.

“I saw Al’s video and I also saw him play in Singapore last year against the Slingers and that was the X factor. We need a point guard who is hungry and needs the right break. One who understands what an international opportunity can provide him," said Manozca.

Despite his size, Vergara, who also led collegiate team St. Francis of Assisi to numerous titles in the National Capital Region Athletic Association, is a fearsome competitor and can score anywhere in the court.

“If Al is good enough as a playmaker for Mikee Romero’s team, he’s good enough for us," added Manozca.

Before the said offer, Vergara’s career was in limbo as he failed in his desire to join the PBA after the Purefoods TJ Giants opted not to sign him up and instead went after former Red Bull guard Topex Robinson, after being released by the Barakos.

“Wala akong ginawa kungdi ang magdasal dahil di ko alam kung ano ang mangyayari pa sa career ko. Kaya malaki ang pasasalamat ko nang dumating itong offer na ito," said Vergara.

Vergara departed from Manila for Singapore Wednesday and will plunge into action with his new ballclub today when the Slingers play Air21 in an exhibition match. The team will return on the court on September 30 and will see action against Purefoods.

Castro was the first Filipino cager signed by the Slingers but the five-foot-10 guard returned to the country and opted to see action with Talk N’Text in the PBA.

A former three-time PBL MVP, Castro was given an eight-month contract by the Slingers to play in the Australian basketball league. But the plan did not push through and instead the Slingers decided to join only in an invitational tournament in Singapore.

The first contract thus was rendered invalid and although the Slingers tendered another contract, Castro decided to return and play in the PBA.

Beermen won against Barakos in 1st pre-season game

Jay Washington and Mick Pennisi seemed perfectly fit for San Miguel.

Jay Washington scored 18 points and Mick Pennisi made five rebounds and two assists, helping the Beermen came away with a 99-90 rout of the Red Bull Barakos on Monday at the start of the PBA pre-season tournament at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines gym.

By acquiring the two via separate trades, SMB became bigger and beefier, in the process presenting match-up nightmare for opponents.

Apart from it, Washington and Pennisi are also blessed with good shooting touch so they provide coach Siot Tanquingcen a lot of offensive options other than Dondon Hontiveros, Danny Seigle and Danny Ildefonso.

“They’re a big team. Obviously the addition of Mick and JayWash has made SMB a tough match-up,” observed Red Bull deputy coach Gee Abanilla, who called the shots for the Barakos.

Against a team that let go off three key players (Pennisi, Topex Robinson and Kiko Adriano), the Beermen dominated the game early and sealed the victory by halftime when they cruised to a 64-40 advantage.

The scores:

SMB 99 – Washington 18, Seigle 15, Gonzales 15, Hontiveros 11, Pena 8, Bono 7, Pennisi 6, Custodio 5, Racaela 5, Calaguio 3, Villanueva 2, Pingris 2, Cortez 2.

Red Bull 90 – Baguio 15, Sharma 14, Alvarez 9, Espinas 9, Membrere 8, Cruz 7, Magpayo 6, Rodriguez 6, Hubalde 6, Ybanez 3, Najorda 2 Hrabak 0, Duncil 0.

Quarters: 29-23; 64-40; 84-58; 99-99

source: Journal.com.ph

Abarrientos offered to play in Singapore

The Flying A, Johnny Abarrientos is still kicking. The 38-ear old veteran, member of the 25 Greatest Players of all time, received an offer from the Singapore Slingers to fill in the shoes left by the younger Jason Castro. Castro opted to play for Talk 'n Text in the PBA instead of renewing his contract with the Slingers.

Johnny is not actually excited about the offer, and even expressed that he wants to stay with Ginebra and play his last season before he hang his jersey. According to press, the offer sheet states that if the Singapore Slingers won't be satisfied with Johnny's services in a month or 2, they may terminate the contract, and the ace pointguard might not have a place anymore in the PBA thereafter.

related source: Manila Bulletin

PBA Provincial Games for 2008-09 Philippine Cup

October 11 - Victorias City, Negros Occidental
Alaska vs. Coca-Cola.

October 18 - Panabo City, Davao Del Norte
Sta. Lucia vs. Purefoods

October 25 - Misamis Oriental
San Miguel vs. Red Bull

November 8 - Lucena City, Quezon
Barangay Ginebra vs. Coke
Rain or Shine vs. Air21.

November 15 - Batangas
Talk ’N Text vs. San Miguel

November 29 - Tacloban City
Purefoods vs. Air21

December 13 - Cagayan De Oro
Alaska vs. Barangay Ginebra

Washington inks P10m deal with San Miguel Beermen

San Miguel Beer signed prized acquisition Jay Washington to a three-year contract approximately worth P10 million.

The Beermen also inked Bonbon Custodio to a two-year pact on Wednesday. Terms of Custodio’s deal were not disclosed.

San Miguel acquired the six-foot-eight Washington, a Philippine Basketball Association Mythical Team member in 2007, from Talk ’N Text on the Rookie Draft day. In turn, the Beermen gave up their no.3 pick which turned out to be Jason Castro.

Jaworski, finally to Air21?

This is a year-old question already. Will the Big J coach the Air21 Express this time? From a press release, the Living Legend is set to make up his mind and decide this week.

Coach Bo Perasol, who just steered the ball club to it's first 1st-runner up - their best finish, is not joining the team's practice sessions lately to give space and time for the management to decide if they're really getting Jaworski in.

Perasol, in his own words, expressed that he'll be happy working under the acclaimed coach if ever the plan materializes.

PBA Trade Rumor: Mick Pennisi to San Miguel?

Unconfirmed reports has it that the 6'9" shooter Nick Pennisi is now a Beermen in exchange of future draft picks...

Topex Robinson is now a giant!

It seems the Purefoods TJ Giants misses the energy and speed of a Paul Artadi that they needed to sign Topex Robinson. Yep, the former San Sebastian Stag, just released from the Red Bull Barakos is now a giant.

The development just came late as the Purefoods team is now already in Qatar for their off-season tune-up games.

Singapore wants Castro badly

It seems that the Slingers team now revolves around Jason Castro. The Singapore Slingers, former member of Australia's NBL, still wants the services of our 5'10" pride for their next international tournaments.

Castro just signed a 3-year deal with Talk 'n Text worth Php8.7 million.

The 3-time MVP in the PBL signed with the Slingers last May to play in the NBL, but since the team pulled out in the said league, the contract became null and void.

He recently helped the Slingers to win the Brunei Cup trophy and was adjudged MVP of the tourney. His last stint with the team was during the Malaysia Cup.

Last week, Castro got the Slingers’ approval to join Talk 'n Text, but now, the Singaporean team is hoping to get him back.

Espinas to Red Bull; Bugia to Air21; Sotto signed with Alaska

Air21 traded Gabby Espinas to Red Bull in exchange for a first round pick next year. The Express, who had their best finish (second) in franchise history in the previous Fiesta Cup, have also put JC Intal on the trading block.

On the other hand, with the departure of 6-foot-6 Earvin Sotto, who signed with Alaska, Air21 has fill up the void by tapping free agent Paolo Bugia, the 6-foot-6 center who last played for Red Bull.

NCAA youngster Keith Agovida scored 82 points in a game

6'1" Keith Agovida of Jose Rizal University (JRU Light Bombers) scored a record 82 points against Mapua in the highscoll division of NCAA.

Agovida, only 18 years old, is now NCAA’s highest scorer in more than 80 years. He surpassed the record of 71 points by Erwin Bolabola of Letran established in the late 70s, according to press release. He completed his superb performance by grabbing 15 rebounds and 5 shotblocks in 36 of 49 shooting and 10 of 16 free throws.

De Vance goes to Alaska for Mercado and Laure

It's confirmed. Alaska acquired 6'7" Joe De Vance and 2 second round draft picks from Rain or Shine. In exchange ROS got 5th overall pick Solomon Mercado and MBA MVP Eddie Laure. ROS will now have Mercado-Norwood duo. Let's see how the Elastropainters will patch the hole vacated by De Vance

Could Jay Washington on hi way to ROS as well?

Sta. Lucia faced on-court rumble in Dubai

Sta Lucia Realtos just had their Middle East tour. They won 2 games in Bahrain against commercial teams Al Ahli and Maharraq, but lost 2 against Qatari national team in Doha, before heading to Dubai. Qatar remains unbeaten against any Philippine teams.

The Realtors lead by Kelly Williams - the recently awarded MVP, Ryan Reyes - the rookie of the year, Joseph Yeo, and veterans Dennis Espino and Marlou Aquino, with coach-of-the-year contender Boyet Fernandez, played 2 games here. One against a team composed of Filipino ballers from Abu Dhabi; The other is agains a local team in Dubai. The 2 games were played in one day. The first game just went ala-All-Star show - without any bearing. Williams showed off his dunking powers while Marlou took 3's. It was the bench who mostly played to preserve the stars in the night's match against Dubai.

The Realtors are in high spirits throughout the first half against Dubai. Tension started in the 3rd quarter. Denok was kicked after a dunk then stabbed with an elbow by another. Kelly was hit in the face by the player he was guarding and Yeo was pushed hard twice by a player and the American coach.

Next seen was a batch of Dubai police rushing down to the court to facify the 2 teams. Everyone was going wild, especially the Pinoy audience - some even went into the court. The policemen were trying to keep them separated. The police cordoned off the Realtors. Even if it's the enemy' shomecourt, the Realtors were not afraid to rumble.

Finally after, the police have warded off the Dubai team, the final score unsettled.

What a bad game.