Gilas Pilipinas had a taste of LeBron James

                                          image via InterAKTV/Roy Afable

Gilas Pilipinas (Philippine National Mens Basketball Team) had a chance to play against LeBron James who is arguably the best basketball player in the planet right now.

LeBron joined by some of the best collage basketball players in the Philippines with the likes of Bobby Ray Park, Kiefer Ravena, Terence Romeo, Kevin Alas and others. James team went up against the Gilas Pilipinas National team in a 10 minute scrimmage as part of the Witness History event at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Gilas Pilipinas won the scrimmage but LeBron almost wont it for his squad after missing two crucial game winning shot.

"The reason why I missed those last two shots, is because my jersey is too damn small." James said while addressing the jampacked crowed at the MOA Arena.

The scrimmage doesn't really mean anything for the upcoming FIBA Asia tournament but for National coach Chot Reyes it is somehow a symbolic event.

"The theme of the whole event was ‘Witness History,’ and that’s exactly what we hope to achieve with Gilas in our FIBA Asia campaign,Hopefully all of us can be witness to history come August 1.”  said Reyes.

Full Video Coverage of LeBron James pressconference in Manila

                             Video courtesy of youtube.com/user/teledyaryosports

For those who would like to watch the full video of "The King LeBron James" pressconference here in Manila here it is.

LeBron James in Manila presscon.

                                          image via TJ Manotoc's twitter account

Lebron James appeared before the media men for a interviews in a presscon before his "witnesshistory tour" in Manila.

LeBron James is wearing a simple plain Nike shirt sporting a great smile in his face. According to James his Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra who is half Filipino told him that Manila is a Basketball crazy place.

“Absolutely, coach Spo told me all about it (Manila experience). It’s very exciting to be part of such (basketball) culture,” James said.

Although LeBron arrived an hour late for the presscon, the jam packed ballroom patiently waited for "The King". James was interviewed by sports analyst Boom Gonzales in a 12 minute one on one.

LeBron James said "Cant believe this is my first time here but definitely this is not gonna be my last,". Then the crowd explodes with loud cheers hearing that there is a chance for  LeBron to return to Manila.

Alfrancis Chua resigned as Barangay Ginebra coach

When Barangay Ginebra returned to practice the players and the staffs were surprised to learn that their head coach Alfrancis Chua is resigning as a head coach.

It was indeed a surprise for everybody inside the gym. This comes right after Rudy Hatfield also announced that he is ending his 14 years of playing in the PBA by means of retirement.

It is well known that Chua and the Gin Kings made a magical run in PBA's last conference coming from 0-4 start to enter the finals. However Chua was said to be unhappy with the changes on the Ginebra organization particularly on their coaching staff.

Alfrancis Chua insisted that he is resigning dur to "personal reasons".

During the closed door practice the sourced was quoted saying "Nag-resign daw coach Chua sa practice. Inaawat pa ng team,"

Reports said that board representative and Robert Non and sports director Noli Eala rushed to the practice version to try and address the situation.

Sources said that Ginebra superstar Mark Caguioa tried to pacify coach Chua and pleaded for reconsideration.
 

Gilas Pilipinas 12 man lineup is out minus Beau Belga

                                          Image via Chot Reyes
Gilas Pilipinas final 12 man lineup is finally out and it was Beau Belga who was trimmed out of the 13 man pool to make it 12 man lineup.

The final lineup for Gilas Pilipinas now is as follow:

Marcus Douthit
Jimmy Alapag
Jayson Castro
Ranidel De Ocampo
Larry Fonacier
Jeff Chan
Gabe Norwood
LA Tenorio
Japeth Aguilar
Gary David
Marc Pingris
June Mar Fajardo

According to Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes, he included several key person in the selection process which according to him is really tough.

According to the reports Chot Reyes said "(It was) very difficult. We talked to the players involved, and even included coach Kestutis (Kemzura) and (coach Tab Baldwin) in the process,"

Coaches Kemzura and Baldwin are the ones who helped Gilas Pilipinas in their training overseas.

Gilas Pilipinas departs for New Zealand as LA Tenorio celebrates his birthday.

                                          image via interaksyon
Gilas Pilipinas depars today Tuesday  July, 9 2013 for a set of tuneup games in New Zealand the very same day that LA Tenorio is also celebrating his 29th birtday.

The Baranagay Ginebra point guard will celebrate is 29th birthday up in the Air literally as the Gilas Pilipinas delegation to New Zealan is expected to be all aboard the plane in time for Tenorio's birthday.

"Oo, i-celebrate ko na lang sa eroplano, ganun talaga, may konting sakripisyo, Lumabas lang then siyempre, empake na din dahil aalis na agad ng Tuesday, Mindset namin mag-improve lang. As much as possible, play quality tune-up games para makapag-prepare kami this August. Maganda ang magiging competition dun sa New Zealand. That will prepare us (for the Fiba-Asia meet)," Tenorio said.

This is how LA see their trip to New Zealand.

Rumors - Air 21 to use Asi Taulava as a trade bait for Rico Maierhofer

                                          image via pinoyexchange

It has been out in the public that the Air 21 Express is trying to get the playing rights of Asi Taulava from the Meralco Bolts via trade but sources said that the real target of coach Franz Pumaren is his ex-LaSalle center Paul Rico Maierhofer.

If in-case Air 21 gets Taulava from Meralco, they will then use "The Rock" as a trade bait for Ginebra's center Rico Maierhofer according to the source.

The source said "Trade bait lang,".

It has been reported that Air 21 is willing to give Noy Baclao to get the services of Taulava.

The source also said "Kung makukuha kasi ng Ginebra si Asi, may Japeth (Aguilar) pa sila at Kerby (Raymundo). Tingin naman namin pwede na nilang i-let go si Rico,"

"Sana tanggapin ng Meralco yang offer kasi they keep on hanging on to something (Taulava’s rights) na hindi naman na nila nagagamit, Mamaya, dumating yung time wala pa silang makuha na kapalit (ni Taulava)," he added. "Time’s not on Asi’s side … and so with them." continued by the source.

PBA 2013 draft order

                                                   image via philnews.ph
For those who are interested about the PBA 2013 draft order here is the list.

FIRST ROUND:
1. GlobalPort Batang Pier (to San Mig Coffee Mixers)
2. Barako Bull Energy (to Rain or Shine Elasto Painters)
3. Air21 Express (to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel)
4. Petron Blaze Boosters (to Barako Bull Energy)
5. Meralco Bolts (to Barako Bull Energy)
6. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (to Barako Bull Energy)
7. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
8. San Mig Coffee Mixers
9. Alaska Aces
10. Talk n’ Text Tropang Texters (to Barako Bull, to GlobalPort)

SECOND ROUND:
1. GlobalPort Batang Pier
2. Barako Bull Energy (to San Mig Coffee Mixers)
3. Air21 Express (to GlobalPort, to Rain or Shine)
4. Petron Blaze Boosters (to Meralco, to Alaska)
5. Meralco Bolts (to Air21 Express)
6. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (to Barako Bull, to Petron)
7. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
8. San Mig Coffee Mixers (to Barako Bull Energy)
9. Alaska Aces
10. Talk n’ Text Tropang Texters

Note: This is not yet final. The final draft order will be determined after the Governors cup plus a lottery will be held between the top two pics.

Source: pba website