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Basketball legend Jerry West dies at 86

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LA Clippers executive board member Jerry West attends a game between the Orlando Magic and the Houston Rockets during the 2022 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 7, 2022. Obsessive perfectionism and a deadly jump shot made Jerry West, who died on June 12, 2024 at the age 86, one of the greatest guards in NBA history. His uncompromising will to win and encyclopedic knowledge of the game also made him one of the league’s all-time great executives. —Agence France-Presse

LOS ANGELES — Jerry West, an iconic 1960s star guard for the Los Angeles Lakers who inspired the NBA logo, died Wednesday at age 86, the Los Angeles Clippers announced.

West played for the Lakers from 1960 through 1974, winning his only NBA title in 1972, and was co-captain on the 1960 Rome Olympic US basketball gold medal squad.

In later years, West served as an executive on several NBA clubs, most recently the Clippers, his knowledge and guidance contributing to eight championship runs, six by the Lakers.

“Jerry West, the personification of basketball excellence and a friend to all who knew him, passed away peacefully this morning at the age of 86,” the Clippers announced. “His wife, Karen, was by his side.”

The league plans to have a pre-game tribute to West before Wednesday’s third game of this year’s NBA Finals.

“I’m so deeply saddened at the news of Jerry’s passing,” fellow NBA icon Michael Jordan said in a statement. “He was truly a friend and a mentor. Like an older brother to me. I valued his friendship and knowledge.

“I always wished I could’ve played against him as a competitor, but the more I came to know him, I wish I had been his teammate. I admired his basketball insights and he and I shared many similarities to how we approached the game. He will be forever missed. Rest in peace, Logo.”

With impressive speed and quickness and a deft shooting touch, West was nicknamed “Mr. Clutch” for his skilled shotmaking under pressure.

“Jerry West was a basketball genius and a defining figure in our league for more than 60 years,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said.

“He distinguished himself not only as an NBA champion and an All-Star in all 14 of his playing seasons, but also as a consummate competitor who embraced the biggest moments.”

In the 1969 NBA Finals against the arch-rival Boston Celtics, he received the Most Valuable Player award even though the Celtics beat the Lakers for the title.

West was an NBA All-Star in all 14 of his league seasons and the NBA scoring champion in 1970. His jersey number, 44, was retired by the Lakers.

Current Lakers star LeBron James, a four-time NBA champion and four-time MVP, said he will miss chats with the legend.

“Will truly miss our convos my dear friend! My thoughts and prayers goes out to your wonderful family! Forever love Jerry! Rest in Paradise my guy!” James posted on X, formerly Twitter.

West was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980 and was enshrined again in 2010 when the entire 1960 Olympic basketball team was inducted.

In October, West will be enshrined for a third time as a contributor for his work as an executive, becoming the first person ever inducted as both a player and a contributor.

In 1969, the NBA created its current logo, which was the silhouette of West dribbling a basketball, an image inspired by a photograph of West during a game.

“He was the league’s first Finals MVP and made rising to the occasion his signature quality,” Silver said.

“Jerry’s four decades with the Lakers also included a successful stint as a head coach and a remarkable run in the front office that cemented his reputation as one of the greatest executives in sports history.”

For his career, West averaged 27.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6.7 assists a game.
‘Basketball sage’
West, who coached the Lakers from 1976-1979, would capture eight titles as an NBA executive, five with the 1980s “Showtime” Lakers, another with LA in 2000 and two with Golden State in 2015 and 2017, before joining the Clippers.

“This is a hard day,” Clippers owner Steve Ballmer said in a statement.

“I’m honored to call Jerry a confidant, an advisor and a friend. Connie, my wife, called him my ‘Basketball Dad.’

“He was absolutely my basketball sage: wise, loyal and so much fun. If you were in his presence, you felt his competitiveness and his drive.

“He cared about everything and everyone. From the first day I met Jerry seven years ago, he inspired me with his intellect, honesty and enthusiasm. He never stopped.

“He always lent an ear and he always had a quip. He always left me laughing. I will miss him.”

San Miguel just ‘better in the end’ says Luigi Trillo

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Coach Luigi Trillo at the Meralco Bolts’ bench during the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel Beermen. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

SCHEDULE: PBA Finals San Miguel vs Meralco

MANILA, Philippines—Meralco coach Luigi Trillo knew exactly what San Miguel Beer did right in tying the series at 2-2 in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals at Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.

The Bolts lost their edge in the best-of-seven series with June Mar Fajardo giving the Beermen a strong start that Trillo and his team just couldn’t recover from in Game 4.

“We pushed the pace, we got it a bit close but obviously, they were better in the end,” said the Trillo after the 111-101 loss.

READ: PBA Finals: San Miguel gets back at Meralco to tie series at 2-2

“They played with a lot of energy. The two-day break kind of helped them a bit. He (Gallent) had June Mar (Fajardo) going with 18 points in the first half, he really is the MVP and they really went to him.”

Fajardo was instrumental in the San Miguel win as he finished with 28 points and 13 rebounds just hours after winning his 10th Best Player of the Conference award.

The seven-time league MVP also scored 12 of his 28 in the first quarter alone.

But it wasn’t all Fajardo out there for San Miguel, with Vic Manuel and Terrence Romeo fielded by coach Joge Gallent and catching Bolts off guard.

“They have the depth, they scored 111 points, we have a lot to clean up. They all chipped in, they gave us problems with the two-big lineup with Mo and June Mar then they went small with Mo at the five. They have a lot of weapons,” Trillo said.

Romeo, who is still listed as day-to-day with a calf injury, scored seven points with three assists and a rebound for good measure in just 18 minutes of action.

Manuel had significantly fewer minutes with seven but he certainly made the most out of it with eight points and two rebounds.

READ: PBA Finals: Vic Manuel ‘happy, nervous’ in timely return for San Miguel

To add to Meralco’s woes, Brandon Bates and Cliff Hodge fouled out in the fourth quarter, leaving the paint open for the Beermen and ending any chance for a comeback for the Bolts.

With the series virtually turning to be a best-of-three, Trillo said he will go back to the drawing board to see what the Bolts can do to avoid losing two straight to San Miguel Beer.

Porzingis’ status uncertain due to rare leg injury

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Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis talks with reporters before basketball practice, Tuesday, June 11, 2024, in Dallas, in preparation for Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

DALLAS — Kristaps Porzingis hasn’t played a game in Dallas since the Mavericks traded him nearly 2 1/2 years ago, and now it is uncertain if he will play there in Game 3 of the NBA Finals for the Boston Celtics.

Porzingis has a rare tendon injury in his lower left leg, which occurred in the third quarter of Boston’s 105-98 victory for a 2-0 series lead. The team said Tuesday that he was day-to-day, and Porzingis said he will do everything he can to play Wednesday night.

Asked if it was a pain-tolerance issue or if he could do more damage, Porzingis said he didn’t know the specifics.

READ: NBA Finals: Porzingis a big problem for Mavericks team that cast him off

“That’s something I’ll leave in the medical staff’s hands to determine whether I can go or not,” he said. “Nothing is going to stop me unless I’m told I’m not to, or not allowed to play. That’s the only reason I would not be out there.”

The 7-foot-2 Latvian center has a tear in tissue that holds tendons in place. The Celtics said it was unrelated to the right calf strain that sidelined him for 10 consecutive playoff games before he returned last Thursday for the start of the NBA Finals.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla described it as a “serious injury” and said that the team wouldn’t put Porzingis in any bad situations.

“We’ve taken the decision to play out of his hands because the importance of him,” Mazzulla said. “He’s going to do everything he can to play. We’re going to leave it up to our medical team. That’s really it.”

Porzingis was wearing slides instead of sneakers when he spoke with reporters before practice. He walked with a slight limp and had a black sleeve covering his lower left leg on the off day.

READ: NBA Finals: Porzingis returns, Celtics open with big win over Mavericks

Without elaborating, he said he was having treatment all day and doing whatever the medical staff told him. He wasn’t on the court for the open portion of practice.

“I can’t trick them into allowing me to play,” he said.

Porzingis said he felt something after bumping knees Sunday night with Dallas center Dereck Lively II but kept playing. He left the game in the final minute of the third quarter and played only about 3 1/2 minutes in the fourth.

After the game, Porzingis downplayed any injury concern, saying he was optimistic and would “die out there if we need.”

On Tuesday, he said, “I’m living by those words. … I mean I hope not, but if it comes to that to win, I guess.”

In his return during Game 1, his first career game beyond the first round, Porzingis jump-started the Celtics with 11 points and two blocks in the first quarter of the 107-89 win while finishing with 20 points, three blocks and six rebounds. He scored 12 points in 23 minutes of Game 2.

“We’re just so much of a better team when we have him. 7-4 unicorn, right? He’s as talented as they come,” Celtics forward Jayson Tatum said. “Yes, we’ve had success and found ways to win without him. Obviously, we’re better when he’s on the team, when he’s out there playing with us.”

The 28-year-old Porzingis was the fourth overall pick by the New York Knicks in 2015, and was an All-Star before a torn ACL forced him to miss all of 2018-19. They traded him to Dallas in January 2019, a deal involving seven players and two first-round draft picks.

Dallas traded Porzingis to Washington on Feb. 10, 2022, and the Wizards sent him to Boston in a three-team trade last summer.

When the Wizards played at Dallas in January 2023, Porzingis was inactive after playing in 12 of their previous 13 games. He also didn’t play for the Celtics this past January, when they visited American Airlines Center the night after he had 32 points, six rebounds and five blocked shots in Houston.

“The first time I came back, I was not playing that game, I was with Washington, and I had a warm welcome here. They even did a tribute video, which was very unexpected for me, but that was very nice,” Porzingis said. “I think the organization, the people on the inside appreciated my time here, and that was very nice. … No bad feeling about this place. I love this city, love the fans, and it just didn’t work out.”

Mavericks need more 3s to fall in rally bid vs Celtics

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Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic shoots free throws during basketball practice, Tuesday, June 11, 2024, in Dallas, in preparation for Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

DALLAS — Luka Doncic’s message is simple for the struggling 3-point shooters around him, and with Dallas trailing Boston 2-0 while coming home for the NBA Finals.

“Just one thing: Keep shooting,” the Mavericks superstar said. “We all believe in those shots. That’s how we came to the Finals. That’s how we played the whole season. We believe in those guys.”

Dallas faces several daunting numbers going into Game 3 on Wednesday night.

READ: NBA Finals: Luka Doncic triple-double not enough for Mavericks 

The Celtics are on a nine-game playoff winning streak, a franchise record in pursuit of an NBA-best 18th banner. Just five of the previous 36 teams to face this deficit (14%) have come back to win the title.

One number has to change for the Mavs to rally. Players not named Doncic are 5 of 32 from beyond the arc, with co-star Kyrie Irving misfiring on all eight attempts.

When it comes to 3s, the supporting cast is just about as important as Irving. P.J. Washington Jr., a catalyst for the deep playoff run with his deep ball and defense, is 1 of 8. Derrick Jones Jr. is 1 of 5.

Doncic, who is 8 of 21 from deep, is the only Dallas player with more than one bucket from 3. His role-playing partners have to figure out how to produce without forcing things.

“I think it’s just taking good shots, taking open ones,” said Washington, who shot 47% from 3 in a second-round victory over top-seeded Oklahoma City but is at 23% since then. “Obviously, we haven’t been making shots. We feel pretty good coming home. It’s all about just making open ones, taking open ones.”

READ: NBA Finals: Kyrie Irving channeling 2016 as Mavericks plot rally

Let’s not forget the the defense of Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday, among others. Boston had the second-best defensive rating in the regular season, and has the size and tenacity on the perimeter to make Doncic and Irving uncomfortable.

While Doncic just had the first playoff triple-double in Dallas history with 32 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in a 105-98 loss in Game 2, the five-time All-Star has 12 turnovers in the series. Irving is shooting 35% with significantly more shots (37) than points (28).

Brown has guarded both, often picking up Doncic at half court and occasionally poking the ball loose for easy buckets the other way.

“He’s been one of the emotional leaders on the team,” Irving said of his former teammate. “Defensively, he’s making it difficult. For the past few years, he’s tried to make his mark on that end. When you take pride in what you do on the defensive end, it’s going to show.”

Dallas has been outscored 39-25 in points off turnovers against a team that struggled with those miscues in a six-game loss to Golden State in the NBA Finals two years ago.

READ: NBA Finals: Porzingis has rare leg injury, uncertain for Game 3

“I sound like I’m repeating myself,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd said. “But if we can take care of the ball and not give them live-ball turnovers where they are not just laying up the ball or dunking, it puts us in a better seat. We’ve got to take care of the ball. That’s the next step in the series.”

Those Celtics had a 2-1 series lead in 2022 before losing three in a row to the Warriors. Part of where they are now started with where they ended up against Stephen Curry and company.

“It’s almost like you got to trick your mind almost in a sense,” Brown said. “You almost got to play like you’re down 0-2 rather than up. That’s hard to do.”

Everything about the Finals is new for Doncic, including the 2-0 deficit. Not for Irving, who is in his fourth title series and won his championship with LeBron James in Cleveland in 2016 when the Cavaliers erased a 2-0 deficit against the Warriors.

Or for Kidd, the point guard when Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas to its only championship 11 years ago. Those Mavs won three in a row to close out Miami in six games.

“A lot of it is just a learning curve for myself, for my teammates, and also a peace of mind that we give each other that we want to give ourselves a chance by leaving it all out there on the floor,” Irving said. “That’s literally been the focus since Game 2 ended.”

In this series, Doncic added a chest contusion to the sprained right knee and sore left ankle the 25-year-old has been dealing with most of the playoffs.

The Celtics are facing uncertainty again with Kristaps Porzingis, the 7-foot-2 Latvian who missed 10 consecutive playoff games with a right calf strain before sparking the 107-89 Game 1 win with a dominant first quarter.

Porzingis has what the team called a rare tendon injury in his lower left leg, which was sustained in Game 2. He hasn’t been ruled out in Boston’s pursuit of a commanding series lead.

“Same old, same old,” Brown said. “(Porzingis) has been tremendous for our group, not just in the playoffs, but all season long. It’s obvious him on the floor just helps elevate us to a different level. But … we prepare for these moments to be able to play with or without anyone.”

Celtics control NBA Finals despite Jayson Tatum’s shooting woes

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Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) questions a call during Game 2 of the NBA Basketball Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, Sunday, June 9, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

DALLAS — There have been two versions of Jayson Tatum so far in these NBA Finals.

Version One is shooting a dismal 12 for 38 from the field, just 31.6%, the worst percentage by far of any starter in the series between his Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks. Version Two is second in the finals in total rebounds, leads the series in assists and, according to BetMGM Sportsbook, is currently favored to win the NBA Finals MVP award.

Add them up, and the Celtics seem completely satisfied what they’re seeing from Tatum, as usual. The Celtics have a 2-0 lead in the finals going into Game 3 in Dallas on Wednesday night, meaning the NBA’s best team all season is halfway to an 18th championship.

READ: NBA Finals: Porzingis has rare leg injury, uncertain for Game 3

“I understand that I do need to be more efficient,” Tatum said Tuesday. “I do need to shoot the ball better, I would not disagree with anybody on that. But I’m not letting it bother me. I’m still trying to find ways to impact the game and dominate the game in other areas.”

Getting too deep into Tatum’s numbers in this series — or even when adding the 2022 NBA Finals to the totals — isn’t a great idea, simply because of the sample size. He’s been in a total of eight finals games. It’s not enough to draw conclusions.

That said, while the shooting is almost shockingly bad — no player in the last 60 years, with as many shot attempts as Tatum has all-time in NBA Finals play, has shot worse than his .354 clip — he’s on pace to do something historic. If his averages of 17 points, 10 rebounds and 8.5 assists hold up through the rest of the series, he’d be the second player to finish a finals with those numbers.

The other is LeBron James, who did it four times.

“Criticism is the ultimate beauty,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “It’s a sign of ultimate respect. It’s just a beautiful thing. I really love the way Jayson has handled that. It’s just a testament to who he is.”

READ: NBA Finals: Celtics hold off Mavericks for 2-0 lead

It is good news for the Mavericks that they’ve done well on Tatum through two games.

The bad news, of course, is that it hasn’t mattered much. Tatum fills up the box score in other ways, and the Celtics won both games at home to open the series.

“I think he’s one of the best players in the world,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “You’re trying to just make it tough. That’s all you can do, is hopefully guard the first move, guard the second move, guard the third move and contest. Guys are doing that at a high rate, trying to make it tough on him.”

Shooting-wise, these two games in the finals represent the worst two-game span of Tatum’s season. He was barely better in games against Denver and Houston in mid-January, shooting 31.7% in those.

The next game after that little stretch saw Tatum score 39 points. The Mavericks should know that one well; it was against them. So, they’re likely pretty certain that Tatum’s shooting won’t stay cold for long.

“Over time you learn how to deal with all the extra noise and attention, whether it’s positive or not so positive,” Tatum said. “You know, I’m a fair, smart person. I know when I’m doing things at a high level. I know when I need to do certain things better. So I’m not, like, oblivious to what’s going on. At the same time, just keeping the main thing the main thing and focusing on trying to win the next game. That’s what’s most important at this time.”

La Salle invests playing minutes on Kevin Quiambao backup

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La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao. –UAAP PHOTO

The work to defend its UAAP men’s basketball crown has already begun for La Salle—and for this, new faces surround the Green Archers’ foremost weapon, Kevin Quiambao.

“Being part of this program is no joke … you are always gonna be as good as your last game so that’s the standard that we always put in our program,” coach Topex Robinson said as La Salle advanced to the Finals of the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup against a familiar rival in University of the Philippines (UP) waiting on the other side. The two schools battled for all the marbles in Season 86 with La Salle successfully taking the throne behind MVP Quiambao. Evan Nelle, Mark Nonoy, Francis Escandor, Ben Phillips and Joaqui Manuel have since graduated and left holes all over the roster.

Robinson has filled that up and the team remains committed to the same mantra that gave them success last season: focusing on themselves and what they can control. That’s why he gave some of those new guys the exposure they need, even in high stakes games.

“It’s a gamble on my part to play the guys who don’t usually see action on the floor, giving them the chance to really prove themselves,” he said after what should’ve been a runaway victory against Letran in the semifinals.

Knowing the need to expose his newer cogs to the high-level of collegiate basketball, Robinson opted to keep his new guys on the floor despite squandering a 24-point lead on the way to a 91-87 escape act over the Knights.

“Those are the gambles that I would always take and the responsibility and the consequences will always be falling on my shoulders,” he added as La Salle tries to get back on the Fighting Maroons, who won against them in the eliminations, on Wednesday.

“The more we give them that air time, the more we could really finalize our roster because after the FilOil, we don’t really have a tournament ready for us except for a Japan trip,” the champion coach said.

Along with Quiambao, La Salle’s key holdovers include Earl Abadam, Jan Macalalag, CJ Austria, Michael Phillips (injured), EJ Gollena and Jonnel Policarpio.

Henry Agunanne, formerly a big man for Centro Escolar University, has been a force to be reckoned with inside the paint as he now backstops La Salle.

“By that time … most likely we [have] already chosen the guys that are gonna be part of Season 87 for us, so this is the best time to really put them to a test and then see if they really have what it takes to be in the lineup,” Robinson said.

“It’s gonna be an exciting game against UP on Wednesday, so another test of character for us,” he added.

Meralco countering San Miguel depth with defense

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Meralco center Raymond Almazan has been holding it down for the Bolts in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Meralco may be leading San Miguel Beer in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals series through three games, but the Bolts had to go through the wringer just to grab a 2-1 edge.

What makes the Beermen a tough nut to crack is their depth led by seven-time MVP June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez.

“In all honesty, it’s hard because you’re going to stop June Mar (Fajardo) then Mo (Tautuaa) will have a good game. Then, there’s Marcio (Lassiter) outside, CJ (Perez) as a slasher. Then, they also have Don (Trollano) and Jericho (Cruz),” said Meralco center Raymond Almazan in Filipino after their 93-89 win in Game 3 on Sunday.

READ: Cliff Hodge: Winning rebound battle key for Meralco in PBA Finals

“We really have to pick our poison but I guess our defense will be the thing that’ll help us win in this series.”

Despite San Miguel’s firepower, Meralco has somehow found a way to gain the upper hand thanks to a balanced effort on both ends.

In Game 3, the Bolts had two players notching double-doubles with Almazan posting 17 points and 13 rebounds and Cliff Hodge collecting 10 points and 13 rebounds while Chris Newsome provided the heroics, scoring 26 points, including the game’s final five points.

Meralco’s defense–with Almazan as one of its anchors–has been stellar as well, holding a star-studded San Miguel crew to an average of 90 points in the first three games.

READ: PBA Finals: Rest vital for SMB heading into Game 4, says CJ Perez

Even Fajardo has had a hard time against the Bolts’ frontcourt of Almazan, Brandon Bates and Hodge.

Though, it’s not been easy for Almazan as well.

“It’s really hard. I think nobody can guard June Mar for 40 minutes or a whole game. Coach told us that if we can play hard defense for forty minutes or so to tire out June Mar, that’ll be our job.”

“That’s really what we have to do to this series to have a better chance of winning.”

De Brito embraces higher expectations for Alas Pilipinas

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Alas Pilipinas coach Jorge Souza de Brito during the AVC Challenge Cup in Manila.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Inspired by his contract extension as the Alas Pilipinas women’s coach, Jorge Souza De Brito kicks off the team’s preparation for the FIVB Challenger Cup from July 4 to 7 at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Brazilian coach, whose contract will expire at the end of the month, got his wish to continue serving the Philippine women’s volleyball team after the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), led by Tats Suzara, asked the FIVB to extend his stay for the program’s continuity until next year’s Southeast Asian Games following a historic bronze medal finish in the AVC Challenge Cup.

“I am very, very happy because I worked for three years here and our goal is always to win. But that’s a process that you have to go through and when you get these goals,” De Brito told reporters during an intimate lunch on Tuesday.

READ: Jorge Souza de Brito stays on as Alas Pilipinas coach

“I’m very proud of the players who did that and helped us coaching staff to achieve this. Also, I’m really because I will be handling them again for the next (tournaments). I’m sure, we are really, really close to getting better. I’m very happy,” he added.

After winning bronze in the Challenge Cup and a friendly in South Korea, De Brito knows that expectations are higher this time as they play a do-or-die game against Challenge Cup champion Vietnam in the Challenger Cup — a qualifier for the Volleyball Nations League.

But the third-year national team coach said his current players remain hungry for more and committed to playing for the Philippines.

“The expectations right now are getting higher, but also you have to remain grounded and understand that there’s still a lot of things to do. But you see, we have some vitamins already for winning. Also, with all the support from the fans, they are really excited to join. The guys can’t even wait for the time to start training again, De Brito said. “Imagine, with little training [for the Challenge Cup] we already did what we did. So what if we had more time to train, imagine what we can get. So the players are really, really excited to join the training starting next week and our tuneup tomorrow. It’s really amazing what a win can do.”

READ: Jorge de Brito happy to help deliver Alas Pilipinas medal at home

De Brito will keep the same core of the Challenge Cup, led by Jia De Guzman and Angel Canino, including additions Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon and Creamline’s Jema Galanza and Tots Carlos.

De Brito thanked all the stakeholders, who have been supportive of the national program, including the PVL, UAAP, and NCAA, and coach Ramil De Jesus of La Salle and National University team manager Bing See Diet.

He is seeking to add more players to the pool for future tournaments, which he believes will continue to help Philippine volleyball reach greater heights.

“We’re also working with the PVL teams, UAAP and NCAA teams, because we have to balance this. We’re trying to keep the same (core) because I think it’s important. We also need to add more players. Philippine volleyball is much more than these players. I have to congrats them because we got the goals, but also I told them already that we’re gonna add some good players also because you know, every time you get more talented players, it’s better for us,” De Brito said. “International competitions are always good so we’ll try to bring other guys, but we’re gonna try to keep the same core because the competition is too close.”

Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza added to Alas Pilipinas pool

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Creamline’s Tots Carlos, left, Jema Galanza and Alyssa Valdez during the PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas coach Jorge Souza De Brito has added Creamline champion players Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza to the national training pool, expecting the pair along with National University MVPs Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon to join the preparation for the FIVB Challenger Cup.

De Brito bared he has tapped Galanza and Carlos to join the current Alas team, which won a historic bronze medal in the AVC Challenge Cup, after missing the previous tournament in Manila due to Creamline’s long-awaited Spain trip.

“We invited them again. Hopefully, tomorrow they can join. We’re always hoping for talented players,” De Brito told reporters.  “It depends on the target we want. If it’s a short one, take the best one now. If the target is long-term, [you get] someone that you can develop. It’s a vision. It’s a kind of vision. But often, [we take] all the good ones. Always.”

READ: De Brito embraces higher expectations for Alas Pilipinas

The Brazilian coach is also expecting Belen and Solomon, who are part of the original pool, to report to practice on Wednesday morning at Philsports Arena. University of the East rising star Casiey Dongallo is still recovering from an arm injury but she’s part of the long-term plan.

The Philippine National Volleyball Federation, which extended De Brito’s contract, vowed to keep the bronze medal team’s core for the long haul with Challenge Cup Best Setter Jia De Guzman and Best Opposite Spiker Angel Canino as well as Sisi Rondina, Eya Laure, Fifi Sharma, Thea Gagate, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Cherry Nunag, Dell Palomata, Faith Nisperos, Jennifer Nierva, Arah Panique, Julia Coronel, and Vanie Gandler, who also played a friendly in South Korea last week.

But De Brito seeks to add more players to the pool with his wishlist including Choco Mucho’s Mars Alba and Maddie Madayag, Ivy Lacsina of Akari, Tin Ubaldo of Far Eastern University, Gayle Pascual of College of Saint Benilde, and even Jolina Dela Cruz of Farm Fresh once she recovers from her ACL injury. 

“There are many players. They’re developing themselves and every time you do that, you have a chance in the national team. It’s important to know that if you’re performing good, the door is always open. It’s always been like this,” he said.

De Brito said he’s not limiting his options to young players as he is also open to adding veterans.

READ: Jorge Souza de Brito stays on as Alas Pilipinas coach

“Talented players will always come. There will always be. The last time that Brazil played in the Olympics, we had a player in the first six that was 41 years old. So, age is not a limit. Age will not be a limit if you’re healthy if you’re competitive. And also, it’s a decision from the coaches,” he said. “I never talk about specific names or players [because] if you’re playing good, if you’re needed in the national team, for sure you’re gonna be there or you’re gonna be invited.”

Alas plays a do-or-die game against Challenge Cup champion Vietnam in the Challenger Cup — a qualifier for the Volleyball Nations League — set from July 4 to 7 at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

De Brito is just proud to see the determination and commitment of his current players to represent the flag after their unexpected bronze in the Challenge Cup.

“They want much more, to keep that winning feeling when they’re inside. All the time, they’re excited to play and it’s always good because it’s international exposure. The team there is good. But also, we have to consider, the ball is different, the environment is different, we don’t have time to practice, but we’re not complaining,” he said. “They’re enjoying a lot because they feel that it is something that they can take as an experience. That’s why every training for them now is something good.”

PBA Finals: Shackled June Mar Fajardo key to Meralco success

On: By: admin


June Mar Fajardo–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

June Mar Fajardo found himself in a bind on Sunday night, his on-court struggles among the things that doomed San Miguel in Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup’s championship series.

“That’s just the way it is,” he told reporters in Filipino on the heels of a 93-89 loss to the Meralco Bolts at Smart Araneta Coliseum. “Credit to them, they’ve played great throughout this series.”

Easily the heart and soul of the vaunted club, Fajardo was shackled to just 12 points and was limited to his season-low five field-goal attempts.

The reigning MVP, who is on pace to win his 10th Best Player of the Conference award, also accounted for seven of the team’s 15 turnovers as the Beermen slid to a 2-1 hole.

“Their defense is great. They’ve got plenty of bigs, and they are quick with their rotations so it’s been tiring [for me],” Fajardo said of the opposition, who has the likes of Raymond Almazan, rookie Brandon Bates, Norbert Torres and even Kyle Pascual taking turns in defending the most dominant player in the league.

CJ Perez, the other steady presence for San Miguel in this All-Filipino derby, wasn’t too keen on pinning it all on his star teammate’s woes.

“It’s just the free throws,” he said in a separate chat. “Those were the most crucial. We missed seven in the last [minutes], and that was the story.”

Five of those muffed freebies, following a 75-all deadlock in the payoff frame, were from Perez. And those were just as critical in San Miguel’s defeat, the spitfire guard insists.

A closer examination of the Game 3 stats sheet, however, showed that San Miguel lost in both the rebounds and assists race. The Beermen only had 50 boards against the Bolts’ 57, and 15 assists versus Meralco’s 22.

‘Improve our energy’

Fajardo, Perez, and co. were also behind the challengers in points in the paint (36-32), second-chance points (22-11), and error conversions (20-13).

“We really need to improve our energy to beat Meralco. We’re losing in rebounds—offensive rebounds. And their hustle [plays],” said Perez.

The crafty guard, however, is confident that those issues can be addressed in the two-day lull heading into Wednesday’s Game 4 at the same venue.“It’s going to be crucial as we don’t want to be crushed (with a big deficit),” he said of the return match.

“The two days will be big for our rest. And of course, June Mar since he’s really having a hard time. He needs rest. And of course, we need to adjust whatever that is we need to adjust,” Perez added.

If anything, Perez and Fajardo can take comfort in the fact that San Miguel has yet to lose back-to-back games this tournament. The Beermen suffered that only once this season when they stumbled against NorthPort and then Magnolia in the previous Commissioner’s Cup which they eventually ruled.

It will be truly interesting to see how the decorated San Miguel side recoups against a Meralco crew hell-bent on making the most out of their first-ever Philippine Cup finals. INQ