The 2009 Eurobasket on Basketball TV Schedule / Will France Win It All?

As usual, Basketball TV will cover the 2009 Eurobasket starting in the quarterfinals and I diligently got the schedule for our benefit. Yes, the games are pretty intense and high quality. Man, I just like the way the Europeans play basketball. It is the passing game that excites me. There are about three to four passes per play. I don't see this much passing in the National Basketball Association (NBA) anymore esp if Lebron James is on the floor. France, as of press time, is still undefeated. Diaw, Turiaf and Parker are leading the country back in basketball glory. Yes, France reorganized as more than a year ago even Lebanon defeated it. So, it's nice to see the 2000 Olympic silver medalist back in the groove. Will France will it all this year? I'm not sure, anything can happen in one-game playoff matches (starting in the quarters). France will play another serious championship contender, Greece tomorrow G.w. We'll see what France is really made of.

Sept. 19
2009 Eurobasket Quarterfinals

00:00
03:00 live

09:00
11:00 replay

19:00
21:00s second replay


Sept.20 & 21 (Semifinals/ 3rd place playoff & Finals)

00:30
03:00 live

09:00
11:00 replay

19:00
21:00 replay

Where To Watch 2009 Fiba Europe / Eurobasket 2009 Online Live Streaming

Yipee! The 2009 Fiba Europe / Eurobasket Championship (Basketball) is just around the corner, specifically this month from Sept. 7 - 20, 2009 in Poland, but where can we watch it? As usual the American basketball fans will be the luckiest as it will be streamed online / live on espn360.com in select internet service providers. Espn 360 is a great streaming sports site it's just too bad I'm not in the United States. Look at the collection of sports matches it covers live - a sports' fan dream website! For the rest of the world, the 2009 Eurobasket / Fiba Europe Championship is available on fibatv.com for a fee though.

In the Philippines, the tournament WILL definitely be available on Basketball TV / CS9. I will post the schedule here once it is available.

2009 Fiba Europe / Eurobasket Championship

Of all continental basketball tournaments, Eurobasket is the most exciting and competitive. Need I explain? There are many countries capable of winning the title. It is the domain of Eastern European countries, but Western Europe is mounting a strong challenge. Spain is the defending World Champion and Olympic runner-up. Most likely, Spain is the team to beat. What makes it strong is their teamwork and execution plus abundance of basketball talent like Fernandez, Gasol brothers, Navarro, and Rubio. Pau Gasol injured himself while training weeks ago I'm not sure whether he can make it in time. I won't discount the Spanish team of choking though (no offense to Spanish fans). The Spanish fans expect their team to win this time,. However Paul Gasol said they must take it one game at a time. It is a sound advice as it prevents complacency from setting in.

Other teams to watch are Russia (the defending Eurobasket champions), Greece (2006 World Championship runner up), and Lithuania. These teams are title contenders.

Japeth Aguilar: Smart Gilas- Burger King

Japeth Aguilar's saga is not yet over. Oh my! Japeth Aguilar, the 6-10 Western Kentucky University alumni, now wants to join Smart Gilas after participating in the Philippine Basketball Association draft weeks ago. As a result, he became the no.1 draft pick (by Burger King Whoopers). Now, most people thought Japeth's going to sign the contract but he didn't and instead expressed his intention to join the national team.Japeth could have made his life a lot easier if he'd only stuck with Smart Gilas Basketball. Oh well, luckily for Japeth, no contract was signed. As far as I know, the team and the draftee should work out the contract (negotiate terms) for specified number of days and if nothing happened the player will become a free agent. There are people who say even three years from now, Burger King will still own the rights to Japeth and he can't sign with any professional team without their approval. I don't know about that since PBA rules aren't posted in cyberspace where we can verify it ourselves unlike the National Basketball Association rules.

There were many cases of players who got drafted but wasn't offered a contract but I hadn't heard of no.1 pick refusing to play for the team that drafted him. Some people cite Victor Pablo and the Coke guy but I'm not familiar with their cases. I don't want to comment on them.

Points To Consider:
What Japeth Aguilar did really surprised me but legally speaking as long as he hadn't signed any contract, he has no obligation just like a Philippine Basketball Association team is has no obligation to hire its draftees.

Aguilar should've seriously considered his options. Now, he finds himself in a controversy that is avoidable. His reputation is taking a beating.

When I was in college I was taught nobody can force you to work if you don't want to or it will be tantamount to involuntary servitude and is unconstitutional.

In fairness to BK, they said they will allow Japeth to play for Smart Gilas. If Japeth talked personally to Burger King owners, I think this fiasco could have been prevented as long as they make a deal that would benefit both parties. We Filipinos are good in sorting things out through heart to heart talk.

Why the sudden change of heart?

When I returned home after graduating from Western Kentucky University it was mainly because I wanted the chance to play for the Philippines in the FIBA Asia Championships and feel the pride that comes from playing for my country.

Unfortunately it didn’t go too well. But having seen first hand what it was like, how the teams from the Middle-East played and the system they followed, I felt the challenge to try again and to take them on, confident that we could surely do better the next time with hard work, dedication and the willingness to sacrifice and learn.

I am prepared to do just that. My father Peter who also played for the Northern Consolidated national team wants me to do that and so do the other members of our family.

The only way I can achieve this goal is by playing for the Smart Gilas development team under coach Rajko Toroman provided of course that they accept me since I had initially decided to enter the PBA Annual Draft.

I am confident that they will.

The experience of Tinajin, China, opened my eyes and told me that if I truly want to help my country in international basketball I will have to sacrifice a career in the pro league with all the glamour and all the perks, and join the national pool for the present time.

I will always be grateful to coach Yeng Guiao for the opportunity he gave me to play for the Philippines, Powerade Team Filipinas manager JB Baylon and PBA Commissioner Sonny Barrios for their kindness, understanding and support.

I wish to extend my deep sense of gratitude to coach Yeng, Burger King team owner Mr. Bert Lina and team manager and PBA chairman Lito Alvarez for their confidence in my ability by making me their No.1 draft pick.

I trust they will understand that my desire to play for my country means more to me and my family than anything else.

I have made the choice with my family’s blessings and encouragement.

I hope and pray that my countrymen will support me in the effort to help strengthen the Philippine Team in its continuing quest for respect and redemption in international basketball.
SGD. Japeth Aguilar

bleachersbrew

The controversy led many people to unfairly judge Japeth Aguilar. Unfortunately, most of them are misinformed. Why are they so angry? Remember this person - Manny V. Pangilinan. He owns Smart Gilas team and has shares in Burger King. He WILL sort this thing out. For an accomplished business executive, this conflict is nothing new to him. He will solve this crisis, most likely behind the scenes. Trust me. Everything will turn out fine in the end.


Update: 9 -1 -09

Since we can't check the PBA rules online we are left in the dark. Now it turns out if a draftee refuses to sign the contract, he will have to sit out for two years and in the third year he becomes a free agent. There's no rule about banning. It will look bad to the public if the PBA bans Japeth for it will look like the league is forcing the young man to sign his contract. You ban someone because he doesn't want to sign a contract? How will it look it to the public? Worse, fans would question the fairness of the league. A PBA team HAS NO LIABILITY if it doesn't sign the player it drafted but it is not the same when the players won't. It will be a public relations nightmare and put the spotlight on the league. Burger King still has the rights to Japeth though for two years. I think it would be better if the sides try to settle this PRIVATELY and not talk to each other in the press.

Update 9 - 2 - 09
When a PBA team dumps a draftee, it's called a business decision when it's the other way around the draftee is called unprofessional. Yes, I know PBA teams spend millions but is this fair? One thing we Filipinos hate is inequality.

I still don't understand Japeth's decision-making. There must be something wrong with the contract Burger King offered to him. This is the root of the controversy anyway.

2009 Fiba Americas Championship Schedule

Here is the 2009 Fiba-Americas Championship Schedule. Brazil and Argentina is lumped in one group...hmmm interesting.

Venue: Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan
Date: August 26 - Sept. 6, 2009
At stake: 4 spots for the Fiba World Championship (top four will qualify for the basketball tournament)

August 26 GMT -4

Group A
Virgin Islands vs Uruguay 13:30
Mexico vs Puerto Rico 21:00

Group B

Dominican Republic vs Brazil 16:00
Venezuela vs Argentina 18:30


August 27 2009 Fiba Americas Championship Schedule

Group A
Canada vs Mexico 16:00
Brazil vs Venezuela 18:30

Group B
Panama vs Dominican Republic 13:30
Puerto Rico vs US Virgin Island 21:00

August 28 2009 Fiba Americas Championship Schedule

Group A
US Virgin Island vs Canada 16:00
Uruguay vs Puerto Rico 21:00

Group B
Argentina vs Brazil 13:30
Venezuela vs Panama 18:30


August 29 2009 Fiba Americas Championship Schedule

Group A
Mexico vs US Virgin Island 13:30
Canada vs Uruguay 16:00

Group B
Dominican Republic vs Venezuela 18:30
Panama vs Argentina 21:00


August 30 2009 Fiba Americas Championship Schedule

Group A
Uruguay vs Mexico 13:30
Puerto Rico vs Canada 21:00


Group B
Panama vs Brazil 16:00
Dominican Republic vs Argentina 18:30



rest of the schedule

Cuba pulled out of the 2009 Fiba Americas Championship for they deemed their "technical level was not acceptable." Panama replaced the Caribbean country.

Where To Watch Fiba-Americas Online / Live Streaming / 2009 Fiba-Americas Championship

The 2009 Fiba-Asia championship is over and now we tune in to another great continental basketball tournament - the 2009 Fiba-Americas Championship but where can we watch it online or live streaming legally, of course. Here? No, but on fibatv.com. This is a great innovation coming from Fiba and I do hope Fifa (world governing body for football) does it too. My favorite team is Argentina, because the cagers play exciting basketball but still fundamentally rooted. Their team work is amazing. The Argentinian basketball team of 2002 - 2004 is the greatest team I ever saw. I don't know whether this year's bunch would be strong but I'll still watch it anyway - no Ginobili however Scola is still with the squad. Whoever the players are, one thing's for sure, the Argentines always give their all for their country. Other countries should learn from them. The United States by virtue of winning the Olympics last year has already qualified for the 2010 Fiba World Championship in Turkey. Hopefully the tournament is not in November as Turkey is FINISHED LOL....ahem sorry about that.

Fiba-Americas August 26 - September 6, 2009


--------

Update: 8 - 27 -09

Thank you for the info. Yes, you can watch Fiba-Americas on Espn360.com. Though only people in the United States can avail of the service...bummer.

Philippine Basketball Association Should Just Lend Its Players To SBP

The Philippine Basketball Association plans to continue sending its players abroad for international tournaments. It's a great decision, in fairness to the league, BUT the better plan is for the PBA to just lend the cagers Coach Rajko Toroman wants to use for Smart Gilas. Yes, there are PBA players Toroman wants if I'm not mistaken Samigue Eman, Jay-R Reyes and Jason Castro assuming, of course, internet reports are true. I HOPE this is not "ningas cogon" again or just a publicity ploy. Don't raise our hopes up and smash it down later, please!

Fans are in unison saying Smart Gilas needs taller guards like Jared Dillinger.

“I believe the heart of coach Yeng as a Filipino was touched by this experience of his. He talked to me personally and asked me in the nicest of terms to open my mind to the PBA continuing to help out the national cause,” PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios told the Philippine Star

“He’s seen here that if we are going to do well internationally especially in the Asian region, the PBA must open its mind and I suppose he wants to start with me as the commissioner,” he said. (Barrios was in Tianjin. Now you know what it feels like supporting the country. Victory is sweet and defeat is bitter).

Mr. Sonny Barrios sir I have one request for the PBA to try Fiba Rules. No sir, not totally, the league can modify it as long as the essentials are retained. For example, PBA can still retain 12 4-minute quarters and the same number of timeouts, but the number of fouls allocated to players should be trimmed down to five from six and the hand signs refs use the league to mirror that of Fiba's. As I've said before it's the players that make the league exciting not the rules. No, sir I'm not telling you how to do your job I'm not qualified to do that just giving some unsolicited suggestion. Besides, nothing is so perfect that it cannot be improved. Please Mr. Barrios sir listen to Team Pilipinas basketball fans!


Update: 8 - 18 - 09

SBP Executive Director Noli Eala said: "At this point the SBP would want to take over the national team. If the PBA is open to being involved then it would have to be under the program and direction of SBP, including the selection of national coaches and implementation of program."

The Philippine Basketball Association had their chance and threw it away. Now, its time for new ideas. Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas turn to lead.

Powerade Team Pilipinas vs Korea Part 2

I don't know what Powerade Team Pilipinas will show up against Korea this afternoon. To quote the Qatari coach: "“Don’t go hard against the Philippines. This is just a qualifying game for them. This means nothing to them. There’s no ambition, no goals. You know what I mean?" I'll still watch the game though. I want to know what Team Pilipinas players are made of...are they men or sheep? I believe they are men who can arise against adversity...but that's just me. They have one more opportunity to redeem themselves.


Update: 8 -17 -09

Team Pilipinas lost to Korea 82 -80 at least they fought hard this time. Yes, like most Team Pilipinas fans I want them to win it all but its just not possible at the moment esp. now that another basketball power emerged....Iran.

Iran defeated China 70 -52 in yesterday's Fiba-Asia Championship finals. The West Asian team was so dominant from the start and surprised the host with tough defense and basketball smarts.

The Iranians came well-prepared both in offense and defense. Their defense was tough and they came up with eight steals, and made Yi Jian Lian and Wang Zhizhi ineffective at the paint. The difference in the game was simple - Iran wanted it more. Yes I know it sounds cliche but that's the truth. Iran fought for every loose ball and outjumped Chinese centers when necessary. So congratulations to Iran - Asian Champions!

Powerade Team Pilipinas (Philippines) vs Qatar / CS9 / BTV

Powerade Team Pilipinas is in the consolation round - and yes we should be consoled at the fact that if the Philippines get fifth place the team might get a wild card invitation for the next year's Fiba World Championship in Turkey. Philippines vs Qatar will be at 2:00 pm today. If Team Pilipinas wants to they can beat Qatar but it depends on what mindset they'll bring in today's game.

Qatar - physically imposing squad, not consistent in shooting, and tend to be error prone. To their credit, Qatar is competitive and even built a seven-point lead against Iran yesterday before the defending Asian champs changed gears and trashed Qatar. Holdovers from the 2007 Team Pilipinas knows Qatar as they met in the Jones Cup in that year. Ali, Daoud, Elsayad and the veteran Musa are some of the team's notable players.


Team Pilipinas should beat Qatar and face Korea tomorrow G.w. for the 5th place playoff. Fifth place is the highest place the team could attain in this year's championship. If we do get invited for the Fiba World Qualifying Tournament, it will be another tough task as world basketball powers sometimes get in the mix. For example, the last wild card qualifiers were Croatia, Germany and Greece. But it's better than nothing.

Let's not compare the campaigns of Chot Reyes and Yeng Guiao as tournament format change gave the latter some benefit.

About the defeat yesterday....give me time as I wipe my tears (LOL).

Philippines vs Jordan

I wonder why Coach Yeng substituted players who were having a good game. No offense Coach, just asking. I thought in a KO game you give it all you've got including letting the in-form cagers play longer.

Rise of West Asian Teams?
Remove Rasheim Wright and Jackson Vroman from their respective teams would they still be competitive? The only West Asian team rising or has risen is Iran.

Fiba-Asia Prediction:
China vs Iran final

Powerade Team Pilipinas Fiba-Asia Notes / What Perfect Game? / Taulava (TGA)

Yes, I'll write some of my observations about the previous Powerade Team Pilipinas matches. But before that, will Fiba-Asia please stop this travesty of describing Taulava as Tongan (his papers show he is Filipino and plays for the Philippines so replace that TGA with PHI). You don't put the USA tag on Jackson Vroman do you? Why the double standards? Their excuse is it is the player's place of birth. DUH! Rasheim Wright was born in the USA. If Asi Taulava is TGA, Wright should be USA in the Fiba website too.

The LAST LAUGH: I was watching Team Pilipinas vs Taiwan on a Taiwanese channel back in the Jones Cup when I heard a commentator say: "Willie Miller Filipino? He he he he!" They were also laughing their minds off at the errors Team Pilipinas made in the game. Three days ago, in the tournament that really mattered, Willie Miller made a crossover, which made their player turn the wrong way, and shot a three which devastated Chinese Taipei. Now we're laughing.

Iran defeated Korea last night 82- 66. The reward for the loser is a quarterfinal match with Lebanon, the losing finalist two years ago and a semifinal game with China, talk about punishment. Iran is on a different level right now. The winner gets to play Qatar in the quarterfinals and the winner of the Philippines / Jordan game in the semifinals.

The quality of basketball in Asia has risen 100%. Qatar vs Lebanon, Lebanon vs China, & Philippines vs Chinese-Taipei are some of the classic matches I saw.

Iran is going to get better as their U-18 squad are the current Asian champions and some of them will soon be integrated with the senior team.

Make Do Of What They Have

Yes, Team Pilipinas is making the most of what they have. It is impossible to see Team Pilipinas play a perfect game in their state right now. Besides, there's no such thing as a perfect game anyway. The players are determined to play the best they can despite the lack of preparation time and other weaknesses and sometimes they are rewarded as in the victories over Japan and Chinese-Taipei.

They say practice makes perfect. Can Powerade Team Pilipinas play perfect when they barely practiced? (assuming there's such thing as a perfect game) I don't care HOW they win as long as the Nationals do. If Team Pilipinas win in a scrappy manner so be it as winning is far better than losing.

His decision

I'm not fond of telling Powerade Team Pilipinas Coach Yeng Guiao what to do. First, he is an accomplished coach, Guiao knows what needs to be done anyway. He is also responsible for the squad win or lose. Besides, I'm a basketball fan not an expert.

Fight with All their Might

Team Pilipinas players, all of you will fight and give your all G.w. tomorrow right? I believe Team Pilipinas has a decent chance of winning against Jordan so play with all your might.

I'm already satisfied since Team Pilipinas has defeated teams that I predicted they would like Sri Lanka, Japan, Chinese-Taipei and Kuwait. I'm happy I believed they'd win over Japan. Initially, Japan confused me, but after I saw their game against Korea in Fiba-Asia I knew our team would crush them.

Powerade Team Pilipinas (Philippines) vs Jordan Fiba-Asia Quarterfinals CS9 / BTV

Powerade Team Pilipinas vs Jordan will be on August 14 @ 2:00pm. Yes, this is the most likely quarterfinals match up for both teams. If you're a Philippine team fan, would you like the Nationals to face China? Of course not! Most likely, Jordan will not win over China tonight and the Arab nation will end up second in Group F and will meet us the third placer from Group E this Friday. Team Pilipinas has more chances of beating Jordan than China.

Whenever Jordan is vulnerable or can't make a headway against the opposition, Rasheim Wright gets in the act. Wright should be called the "Fire Man" (or Fire Fighter for pc purposes) as he extinguishes opponent's rally and douses their hope or when he leads his team in building up a sizable lead. The key is to handcuff Wright meaning play good defense on him. It's easier said than done though. Most likely Coach Yeng Guiao is going to put Norwood or Dillinger on him. Wright didn't play against Dillinger in the Jones Cup as the Filipino wasn't put in the line up back then. Again the scoring burden will be placed on Yap and Miller unless someone else rises up to the occasion. Ahhh...Team Pilipinas always rely on the smallest guy in the floor or a lone shooter (Jimmy Alapag in 2007 or Allan Caidic years ago). The positive thing is Team Pilipinas has been shooting better from three recently making at least 50% against Chinese Taipei and made 16 shots against Iran in addition to other players beside Yap made a three (Norwood, Miller, Helterbrand names I could remember).

Other players to watch out for are Al-Khas (6-9), Daghles (6-6), and Idais (6-10). Jordan is unbeaten since the Jones Cup (forfeited one game due to a walkout) and is in top form. I have a feeling Powerade Team Pilipinas can pull an upset. Jordan is the heavy favorite but the game is decided on the court and not in the betting section. To win, the Philippine team needs to play smart. Yes, I know they got what it takes and they know what they got to do. Suffocating defense and immaculate shooting are the key. They need to shoot better as Jordan's squad is tall and Team Pilipinas inside game disappears when they face a big squad and worse some get intimidated. As basketball experts pointed out against Iran yesterday, the Philippines only had four free throw attempts. It means they didn't penetrate or become more aggressive offensively. It will be another long night for Thoss, Taulava and Pennisi - our ever reliable big guys. But you can do it, guys!

Boy, I do hope for ONCE a Philippine Basketball Association-powered Team Pilipinas beat the odds and make us all proud.

If Korea beats Iran tonight, Team Pilipinas will meet the former in the semifinals (assuming the Nationals win their quarterfinals match up too).

How can most people support Team Pilipinas when they can't even see the replay on national television? Would the UAAP be large as it is today without TV exposure? Not everyone can see Team Pilipinas games live.

Powerade Team Pilipinas (Philippines) vs Kuwait / 2009 Fiba-Asia Championship / Wrestleball

Powerade Team Pilipinas vs Kuwait will be at 9:00 am on Basketball TV and CS9 Tomorrow G.w. August 12, 2009. If they win this, they get third place in Group E and face Jordan in the quarterfinals. The Nationals' chance over Kuwait is good. Kuwait is still winless as of press time and that alone speaks about the quality of this team. Mohammed Ashkanani leads the team both in scoring and rebounding - other notables in the squad are Saeed, AlRabah (not Husseini LOL) and it doesn't Al-matter. I'm not bragging but Powerade Team Pilipinas will destroy them. I looked at their height and they are small. Team Pilipinas should guard itself against complacency and go for the kill early as in clobber this team in the first quarter that way they could not expend any more energy than they have to.

They need to concentrate on their next opponent in the quarter finals - Jordan.


Team Pilipinas vs Iran 88 - 78

Miller and Yap combined for 28 points but it wasn't enough - another bad shooting night coupled with many poor decision-making and turnovers at the critical part of the match cost Philippines this basketball game. The Nationals gave up a lot of fouls and Iran took advantage making 23 out of 30 free throw attempts.

The Nationals got behind by twenty in the second quarter and Iran never looked back.



UPDATE: 8 - 12 -09

Team Pilipinas defeated Kuwait 85 -71.

Like most Philippine team supporters, I never doubted the ability of our national team. I wonder why some people get scared so easily. I don't watch PBA regularly but I know they're good. They are powerful enough to crush Kuwait - and they did 85 -71.

Powerade Team Pilipinas vs Iran Fiba-Asia 2009 Championship

Powerade Team Pilipinas vs Iran 11:00 am August 11, 2009

Another difficult test for Team Pilipinas, I offer no solutions this is Yeng Guiao's problem but here are things I noticed about Iran:

1. relies on inside scoring due to team's size
2. Haddadi easily loses composure
3. Fundamentally sound
   
4. not as dependable on outside shooting as Team Korea

Iran is having problems containing speedy & sweet shooting team (like the 2007 Team Pilipinas and Chinese Taipei a few days ago). They can be exposed.

I'll update this later G.w.

Powerade Team Pilipinas (Philippines) vs Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) Fiba-Asia Championship Second Round Begins! CS 9

Powerade Team Pilipinas vs Chinese Taipei August 10, 2009 CS9 4:00 pm.

This is the last time a Philippine Basketball Association-led Team Pilipinas will play a game against Chinese-Taipei in a real Fiba competition (Jones Cup is not a sanctioned tournament). I think Powerade Team Pilipinas will win. Chinese Taipei has made a conscious effort to emulate South Korea style of basketball (by hiring a Korean coach Chung Kwang Suk more than two years ago) or at least it appears that way. But the East Asian nation still has a lot of work to do frankly speaking. According to Fiba.com, they were given a wildcard spot in the Fiba-Asia Championship for this team didn't EVEN QUALIFY. In short, they're a very lucky team. Other reports say, Fiba pressured Fiba-Asia to let Chinese Taipei in after the world governing body failed to express clearly that the top six placers at last year's Fiba Stankovic Cup will qualify directly to the continental basketball championship. CT didn't join for it thought the tournament didn't matter. Whatever the reason, Chinese Taipei is in the tournament.

Chinese Taipei boasts of big guys such as Tien Li, Tseng Wen Ting, and Wu Tai-Hao - all three stands 202 cm or 6 -8 according to Fiba.com. Pennisi, Taulava and Thoss held their own against the much bigger Ha Seung Jin so these Taiwanese guys shouldn't be a problem. Powerade Team Pilipinas intense and determined defense greatly bothered Korean shooters and the latter shot 18.2% in the three point arc - stunningly low percentage for them. It's good news as Chinese Taipei overly relies on three-pointing shooting too. The team is also quick in transition. No matter, Powerade Team Pilipinas is in a BAD MOOD after the loss to Korea and will be more determined to win against a team that's almost Korea's carbon copy --- less Ha of course. The Nationals need to make their shots though...seriously. It's not enough holding down our opponents through suffocating defense, they also need to make their shots. I know the Team Pilipinas coaching staff know this. I'm confident the team can pull off another win.

Japeth Aguilar will play according to Philippine Star

Good luck Powerade Team Pilipinas!

Powerade Team Pilipinas (Philippines) Fiba-Asia 2009 Second Round Schedule

This is Powerade Team Pilipinas schedule for the second round of the 2009 Fiba-Asia Championship:

Powerade Team Pilipinas (Philippines) vs Chinese - Taipei August 10, 2009 4:00 pm

Powerade Team Pilipinas vs Iran - Aug. 11 11:00 am

Team Pilipinas vs Kuwait - Aug. 12 9:00 am

GMT + 8

For the continental basketball championship here are my predictions:

Team Pilipinas will beat Chinese-Taipei and Kuwait and place third. The Nationals will then meet Jordan in the quarterfinals.

Korea will beat Iran and ultimately top the group (combo of AB).

Powerade Team Pilipinas vs Korea / Taulava & Energy Drinks / 2009 Fiba-Asia Championship Day 3

So how many energy drinks will Asi Taulava drink this time?

Powerade Team Pilipinas vs Korea 9:00 pm August 8 CS 9 if its actually available. CS9 is like Video On Demand. However, it is the channel which decides when can we watch it or not. My grandpa missed the game last night a little rain kept this channel away.

The last time Paul Asi Taulava and Seung Jin Ha, the 7-3 giant, met the Filipino tamed the Korean. Can he do that again? How many energy drinks he will down this time? Nine? Though not as quick as he once was I'm sure his competitive fire is still there. Taulava will need that as Ha is more aggressive now both in offense and defense. Powerade Team Pilipinas also needs to keep an eye on Kim Min Soo, Bang Sung Yoon, and Lee Kyu Sup. Korea plays almost flawless basketball - they shoot accurately, commit few turnovers, and move relentlessly with or without the ball. Their brand of basketball is the antithesis of PBA BASKETBALL - a direct opposite. Their line up have players who can match up physically against Arab teams now unlike before and most of them are carry over from the 2007 Fiba-Asia Championship which Korea placed third. Good luck to Powerade Team Pilipinas lol! Of course, South Korea is hardly invincible, but it will take one herculean effort for the Nationals to pull it off. Of course, they can do it. Our players have to believe it too.

Again Team Pilipinas will have to rely on defense. Korea, like Japan, also rattle in face of relentless defending. Korea relies too much on three point shooting too they can't possibly sustain it for the entire tournament. As long as passes to Ha in the paint is disrupted and controlled, he won't be such a threat but I'm sure Coach Yeng Guiao has a much better gameplan against Korea.

Team Pilipinas shot 53% from the field last night. Their TOs down to nine last night after all the team stopped showboating. If they keep this up, they can beat Korea. They were badly outrebounded by Japan so more effort guys (36 to 48)!

Go Powerade!

Update: 8 - 10 - 2009

The Nationals' defense is something Coach Yeng could build upon in the next matches as it was very intense and menacing. What did Team Pilipinas in was their poor shooting, and fouls --- tsk tsk. Okay Team Pilipinas fans time to forget the match and move on. Our Team is still alive and can still pull off at least two wins - over Chinese-Taipei and Kuwait.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, I wasn't able to follow up on this post yesterday. I try to update my blog as soon as possible but something held me up. Please read my new post about Powerade Team Pilipinas second round schedule and don't forget to check my post about Team Pilipinas vs Chinese - Taipei. It is just a short analysis of the upcoming game this afternoon at 4:00 pm thank you very much.

Powerade Team Pilipinas vs Japan / Analysis / Brimming With Pride

I'm brimming with pride after Powerade Team Pilipinas (Philippines) victory over Japan last night (78 - 69). YAHOO! Now we got their basketball community's attention - not that it matters -the most important thing is Team Pilipinas reminded them who we are in Asian Basketball. Our team is meant to be taken seriously. A Japanese hoops commentator forgot what Philippines is in Asian caging.

Japan and Philippines started tentatively, but the East Asian country got the better of the Nationals in the early going. The Filipinos kept the game close with Japan's lead never going past five points in the first half. I knew Powerade had a fighting chance and I kept on waiting for our defense to tighten. It happened in the third quarter. What did I say? (Powerade Team Pilipinas vs Japan)

Hard-nosed man-to-man defense make Japanese players squirm. I saw that in the Jones Cup game esp in the first quarter but Powerade's intensity faded in the remainder of that game. The defense made it possible for them to build a 19 -point lead.

The defense I saw in the 1st quarter of the game against Japan and third quarter against Korea in the Jones Cup came back. It also helped that Japan missed several undefended three point shots. Willie Miller's lay-up put us up for the first time in the game 50 - 49. Paul Asi Taulava's slam dunk punctuated a systematic Team Pilipinas' run and nailed Japan. The Philippines was up 72 -57 and never looked back.

Unlike the Jones Cup though, Yeng will stick to the line-up that works. If Team Pilipinas build a huge lead, I don't think they'll lose it so easily like what happened in Taiwan ( please! please!).

I'm not a basketball expert I'm just a fan, but I'm happy what I said came true. I'm glad the Philippine Basketball Association players rose up to the challenge. Thank you.

Notes

I noticed Willie Miller dribbles way up his chest - that's the reason Igarashi Kei stole the leather from him. Coach Yeng Guiao replaced Miller with Jayjay Helterbrand for that HUGE error that cut the lead down to eight points.

Thanks to strong anti-Japan sentiment in China. The Chinese crowd cheered for our Team.

I'll preview Powerade Team Pilipinas vs Korea please come again.

Powerade Team Pilipinas (Philippines) vs Japan / We Will Win / Fiba-Asia 2009 Championship Result

Powerade Team Pilipinas vs Japan 9:00 pm on CS9. Who will have the last laugh? Is it Team Pilipinas or Japan? Hopefully, it is our team.

Day Two Fiba-Asia Schedule:

There are many analyses of this game and I'll offer my simple one. Japan usually uses two bread-and-butter plays

1. slash and kick out for three
2. slash and cut

This is what happened in the Jones Cup:

Slowly Japan clawed back using slash and kickout for three and other slash and cut play. It was effective they kept on using it. Our defenders get sucked by the slasher leaving some of the Japanese players open. The problem is the Nihonjin just shoot better from three.

I know the players are now aware of these plays and hopefully they can defend the three-point arc better. Our cagers should do everything to disrupt these attacks and counterattack quickly as Japan struggles in transition. Yes, there were many fastbreak opportunities in the game against Japan in the Jones Cup but most of it were wasted. Powerade Team Pilipinas wanted to play Harlem Globetrotters and ended up as Washington Generals. This urge to entertain is still with the team. There's nothing wrong with showboating - if they can make their shots. I enjoy seeing Japeth Aguilar float and slam the ball as long as he makes it ALL THE TIME.

If they can't defend against the Japanese three-point shooting it will be a hard basketball game for us to watch. It's not fun seeing your team scrambling around in defense and worse the shot goes in. Team Pilipinas can do it though.

Defensive Intensity

Hard-nosed man-to-man defense make Japanese players squirm. I saw that in the Jones Cup game esp in the first quarter but Powerade's intensity faded in the remainder of that game. The defense made it possible for them to build a 19 -point lead. Coach Yeng also he hadn't used the zone defense extensively against Japan or in any game in the Jones Cup.

Though I think Japan is used to playing against the zone (what league in Asia outlawed zone defense to a certain degree anyway) I'm hoping if Coach Yeng does use it, the strategy will pay off. Unlike the Jones Cup though, Yeng will stick to the line-up that works. If Team Pilipinas build a huge lead, I don't think they'll lose it so easily like what happened in Taiwan ( please! please!).

If they have pride, the Philippine Basketball Association led Team Pilipinas will work hard to win. Have some pride and avenge our loss to Japan! You can do it!

My support for Team Pilipinas is constant from the RP youth, Smart Gilas and now Powerade. This is not a fad for me. I do support and criticize when necessary even at the risk of being called a traitor or crab by fanatics for I want them to win!!!

Powerade Team Pilipinas (Philippines) vs Sri Lanka Result / Fiba-Asia Championship / Off To The Next Round!

Powerade Team Pilipinas vs Sri Lanka Result - Philippines is off to a very good start blasting off Sri Lanka 115 -31 in the first game of the 2009 Fiba-Asia Championship! It means regardless of the results from our next games Team Pilipinas is heading to the second round but, of course, we prefer they win it all and march on undefeated.

In the first quarter, the Filipinos raced to a 21 - 6 lead. Powerade Team Pilipinas is just too big and talented for the Sri Lankan squad. The Nationals limited the South Asian country to just 9 points in the opening quarter. The second quarter remained the same but the national team blew too many lay-ups prompting Coach Yeng to call a timeout and lash out at the players esp. Arwind Santos. He benched Santos for the entire third quarter. I think 5 lay-ups were blown meaning 10 points were wasted. Why? Some national players were anxious on putting on a show. Memo to Powerade Team Pilipinas: Stop acting like Team USA and just go for the lay-up. IT'S FRUSTRATING seeing them do that - you look like amateurs guys! Stop that! Luckily, Sri Lanka didn't punish them for their errors, but it will not be case against Japan and Korea.

Powerade Team Pilipinas played more seriously in the 2nd half. After the tongue lashing, players stopped showboating and the massacre continued. The Nationals scored 42 points in the 3rd quarter alone. On the other hand, they allowed Sri Lanka to score 14 points in the second half much lower than their first half output of 17 points. Well done! Arwind Santos was on fire in the 2nd half hitting several three point shots.

Powerade Team Pilipinas shot 64% in the field, 31.6% in the 3pt arc, but the free throw shooting is an abysmal 63%.

Another good thing is Team Pilipinas reduced its turnovers from the Jones Cup average of 21 + to just 14.

Hopefully, the players feel good and carry it over in their next game against Japan. Team Pilipinas can beat Japan and I will explain why G.W. tomorrow so please visit the site again.


Top Performers

Jared Dillinger - 21 points, 11 rebounds
Paul Taulava - 15 points, 13 rebounds

Where To Watch Fiba-Asia Championship Live Streaming Legitimate / Basketball TV / CS9 Schedule

So you want to know where to watch the 2009 Fiba-Asia Championship? No, this one is LEGIT! I've got the site http://www.fibatv.com/ and it will air the preliminary games just check it out.

Philippines vs Sri Lanka

6 August - 9h00 (GMT +8)

Kazakhstan vs Qatar

6 August - 11h00 (GMT +8)

Korea vs Japan

6 August - 14h00 (GMT +8)

Iran vs Chinese Taipei

6 August - 16h00 (GMT +8)

India vs China

6 August - 19h00 (GMT +8)

Lebanon vs Jordan

6 August - 21h00 (GMT +8)

Basketball TV / CS9 schedule

Aug 6 9:00 2009 FIBA Asia Championship: PHI vs SRI Live
Aug 7 21:00 2009 FIBA Asia Championship: PHI vs Japan Live
Aug 8 21:00 2009 FIBA Asia Championship- PHI vs Korea Live

Note: Schedule is bound to change without prior notice. Check the official sked in the site for updates and game schedules for the rest of the Basketball tournament.

Powerade Team Pilipinas (Philippines) vs Sri Lanka / What Pressure?

Powerade Team Pilipinas (Philippines) vs Sri Lanka Fiba-Asia Championship 9:00 AM August 6, 2009

Powerade Team Pilipinas notes

1. Helterbrand and Reyes are still hurting.
2. James Yap hasn't practiced (understandable).
3. Powerade Team Pilipinas Basketball team is still in hard practice and hopefully better results will come out from their cramming.
   

This is an important game for Team Pilipinas as a win will ensure them of a spot in the second round and survive. It will also lessen the pressure on the team. Can Team Pilipinas win against Sri Lanka? Of course (no offense to the Sri Lankan people), this is basketball and we have enough fire power to put Sri Lanka away early. I think our players have enough experience and talent to beat the South Asian country. However, the Nationals should resist showboating and complacency and finish off their opponent right away - you know develop the killer instinct. Yes, they can win! Believe...Powerade Team Pilipinas will get into the second round and get back at Taiwan, and Uzbekistan / Kuwait.

Hey, Willie Miller, you must show leadership again and rally your squad. I see you leading the troops back in Jones Cup. Please do it again. Motivate them and please knock some sense to those who deserve it. Powerade Team Pilipinas fans are counting on your ability to lead the team. There's no leader in the team but you.

Please watch your team's defensive intensity in the second quarter against Japan in the Jones Cup - that's how Powerade Team Pilipinas built a 19-point lead. Do it again. Replicate it and I can assure you many teams will rattle at that kind of defense. As they say if you can't score don't let your opponent score too.

Will Team Pilipinas rise up to the challenge despite the injuries, lack of point guard, short preparation time, poor shooting, poor defense etc?

Hopefully they could at least reach the quarterfinals! Coach Yeng is lucky with the draw. Why? Only a win will take them to the second round! The ills mentioned are self-inflicted. For this matter, blame the Philippine Basketball Association who knew beforehand the schedule but didn't make enough allowance for training. Man, even Manny Pacquiao trains two months before a BIG FIGHT and never stops learning. There are many excellent point guards here as I've said before - there's no excuse for the lack of a court general. Poor shooting and poor defense SHOULDN'T BE a problem after all our players are PROFESSIONALS but it still is.

Lowered Expectations

“The expectations, so high before we went to the Jones Cup, are leveling off, I think,” Guiao told the Philippine Star. “Nakita kasi ng mga Filipino kung gaano talaga kalalaki at kalalakas ng mga kalaban natin. Nakabawas din yong ng pressure sa ‘ting mga players na mag-deliver.”

It's just a basketball game. Win or lose these players will still be millionaires - what pressure?

Pressure? You want to know pressure?

1. A young graduate in a job interview competing with 123 people for a single job
   
2. OFW stuck in Kish island without work
3. A recently laid-off worker with a family to feed

Compared to them what Powerade Team Pilipinas is going through is heaven. Qualify or not, their lives are OK. That's the reason why Manny Pacquiao smiles every time he fights. Compared to what he's gone through, his boxing matches are just child's play. For once will a PBA-powered national team stop this whining about pressure. In fact repeated failures in international competitions have never damaged the PBA irrevocably too. Fans still come in large number. Yes, the ratings dipped but there's still enough fans to sustain the league for Filipinos love their basketball. In China, football fans rallied on the street after another disappointing World Cup campaign. Did that happen here? If I'm not mistaken, angry Chinese fans let their feelings known to Yao Ming after China's defeat at the 2002 Busan Asian Games to Korea. The Philippine Basketball Association players are lucky Filipino fans are still logical - even in the bitterest defeat.

"Pressure is something that goes in tires." Charles Barkley

The NBA talks a lot about bringing back something to the community and representing their country is one of them. The NBA will continue to support their national team our PBA won't -- as if this country has a very big pool of talented basketball players.

The NCC setup worked because of the three reinforcements - Dennis Still, Jeff Moore, and Chip Engelland and weak competition back then. Now, a team is allowed one naturalized player and our Asian competitors also have huge talent pool to choose from (their youth teams and professional leagues). Without the PBA, SBP is limited to collegiate players and pros from other leagues (not in the same quality as the PBA). Most of the best players in the country are still in the Philippine Basketball Association. Our national team is self-handicapped.