Support the Philippine Basketball Team

OFWs , let’s support the RP basketball team in their bid to regain the reputation as one of the world's basketball powerhouse. The roster of the RP men’s basketball team is out to seek the country’s first ever Olympic berth in 34 years.

The team will be guided by Chot Reyes, comprising the guard spots are Talk N Text’s Jimmy Alapag and Renren Ritualo, the Ginebra duo of Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand and Dondon Hontiveros of San Miguel. San Miguel forward Danny Seigle leads the wingmen, along with Ginebra’s Rudy Hatfield, Tony de la Cruz of Alaska, Air21’s Ranidel de Ocampo and Kerby Raymundo of Purefoods. Manning the center slot is Asi Taulava of Talk N Text and surprise pick Mick Pennisi of Red Bull.

The national team’s first tournament will be the SEABA qualifying tournament for the FIBA-Asia champion’s Cup to be held in Indonesia on April 9 to 14. Then it’s off to Bangkok for the SEABA cagefest from May 24-28, where the top two placers get automatic slots to the FIBA-Asia Olympic qualifier to the 2008 Beijing Olympics in Tokushima, Japan in July.

After SEABA, the Nationals will tour Europe also for training then fly to Qatar for a tough invitational tourney featuring some of the best in the region.

We the OFWs wishes these players all the best.

For regular updates about the Philippine team please visit this site.

Read the rest of this entry...

Filipino World Champion

Mabuhay!!! Another Filipino put the Philippines in the world map, he did it twice actually when he won the 9 ball world championship in Manila last year. He won the title of World 8-Ball championship by beating his fellow Kabayan Dennis Orcollo at Fujairah's Bustan centre.

Ronnie Alcano during the final of the eight-ball pool

championship in Fujairah. Fuad Ali/Gulf News

Alcano crowned new world champion in eight-ball contest
By Fuad Ali, Staff Reporter, Gulf News

Fujairah, UAE: Ronnie Alcano has been crowned the new World 8-Ball champion after putting in a confident display to beat fellow Filipino Dennis Orcollo at Fujairah's Bustan centre yesterday.
A large Filipino crowd turned up to watch the final, full in the knowledge that the winner will be one of their compatriot players.

A delighted Alcano told Gulf News: "I'm really happy to win here on my first participation especially coming on the back of winning the world title in the 9-ball equivalent."
The match, which was expected to be a closely fought affair, started off with both players neck to neck.

After 5 games the score was 3-2 in favour of Ronnie Alcano, the latter then hit top form and seemingly almost decided the outcome of the match by opening a five-game lead on Dennis Orcollo at 7-2.

At this stage, Alcano looked to be the more confident player of the two, at times seeming to play at twice the speed of his opponent.

In truth, the more pensive Orcollo was given very few opportunities by a slick Alcano.
Orcollo soon managed to regain some of his composure to cut Alcano's lead to just 2 games, winning the next three consecutive games.

Orcollo's mini-revival was momentarily halted as Alcano took an 8-5 lead, but the match was soon back on balance as Orcollo won the next two games to make the score 8-7, completing a brave recovery.

Eventually, though, the in-form Alcano regained the initiative and powered home to a deserved 11-8 win to take the world title.

Read the rest of this entry...

ATP and WTA Tour in Dubai

I can’t play tennis but I enjoy watching it. Though it is not my favorite sports, I still bought a ticket to watch the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Justine Henin, Martina Hingis, Amelie Mauresmo and other seeded players in the world.

I realy enjoy posting the ticket because this is a gate pass to watch the big names in tennis.

WTP singles finals winner is Justine Henin who is the depending champion. ATP games are currently on a roll and will be concluded on Saturday, March 3, 2007. For more informations.

Read the rest of this entry...

Barangay Ginebra vs. Purefoods in Dubai

I’m an avid fan of Philippine basketball that’s why when the Philippines did not send a basketball team in the Doha Asian Games last December 2006 because of FIBA ban, I feel bad to our basketball officials. They are only thinking their own interest and not considering the joy it will give to basketball crazy OFWs not only in the Middle East but also in the whole world. However, this ban was already lifted and this is good news for Filipino basketball aficionados in Middle East.

Another good news for basketball bans particularly in Dubai is the staging of a game between the newly-crowned Philippine Cup champion Barangay Ginebra and my ever favorite Purefoods on April 13, 2006 at Al Ahli Sports Club. This will be the first time in PBA league history that a game will be held in Dubai. Manila Bulletin gives more details on this news.

Read the rest of this entry...