PBA 2008-2009 season

[skadiboy]

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Air21 lost badly to the Singapore Slingers, 124-86, in a game which saw Homer Se getting ejected. The Slingers signed Filipino Al Vergara as it's starting PG replacing Jason Castro who decided to play in the PBA.

wow .. paytera kita sad ko sa news ani.. confirm na si al vergara 4 months p1million iya sallary

lobunga sad sa air21 ois... sayanga XD

[paul_12084]

mine is GIN GIHAPON

[amamangloy]

Air21 lost badly to the Singapore Slingers, 124-86, in a game which saw Homer Se getting ejected. The Slingers signed Filipino Al Vergara as it's starting PG replacing Jason Castro who decided to play in the PBA.

si homer se gapakauwaw man ni wui...

[ManWhore]

kita na pod ngali away si homer se, wa na pod kapugong sa iya kaugalingon

[LanCe]

kani si Homer Se, payter jud kaayo pang UFC..hehehe..

[vanguard]

Rudy Distrito is alive and well

Rudy Distrito is alive and well after a day of grave concern among family and friends following the circulation of a text message to former PBA players in the US that he had reportedly committed suicide in his detention cell in Las Vegas where he is serving time for manslaughter.

Read here for more

[edgeknife]

Rudy Distrito is alive and well

Rudy Distrito is alive and well after a day of grave concern among family and friends following the circulation of a text message to former PBA players in the US that he had reportedly committed suicide in his detention cell in Las Vegas where he is serving time for manslaughter.

Read here for more

grabeh na ka tiguwang si distrito oi.... nadaot lang ni si distrito kadtong pag 1995 all filipino finals nga ning fastbreak si cariaso unya gi-hard foul ni distrito si cariaso. dugay gud kabarog si cariaso adto..

sa kadtong foul, na-ban jud siya sa pba. wa na kabalik...

[skadiboy]

rudy "the destroyer" eheheh

paytera ani mamaliay ois ehehhe

[skadiboy]

He is a dirty player to most fans but players know him as a different person outside
Distrito gets a helping hand
By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Filipinos are often bitterly criticized for what is referred to as a “crab mentality” and their divisive ways that are considered a drawback to progress within a framework of national unity. But beyond all that we have admired the fact that Filipinos always demonstrate a capacity and a heart to respond meaningfully when their countrymen are down and troubled—and as the song goes, need a helping hand.

The case of former Philippine Basketball Association star Rudy Distrito is a perfect example of this commendable spirit. Distrito was a man who played the game with unimaginable passion and an intensity that transformed him in the era of the “Living Legend” Robert Jaworski into a hardcourt warrior. It was an era of blood and guts basketball where glory was won only by the brave.

Because of this, there were those who distanced themselves from Jaworski and Distrito because they didn’t conform to their mold of men who needed to play the game in a more clinical fashion with less emphasis on physicality and fire in their eyes. Ranged against this, however, were millions of fans of the never-say-die spirit that emerged as a cult in the Ginebra San Miguel team under playing coach Jaworski. To them, there was no foul if there was no blood.

While Jaworski and Distrito left the scene, Jaworski with grace to achieve a higher calling of public service as a senator, Distrito was regrettably banned after he committed a flagrant foul on Jeffrey Cariaso of Alaska. It was obvious that pressure was put on the late commissioner Jun Bernardino by the purists who saw the wrongs of others but failed to look into their own little dirty backyard. Distrito and his family then decided to go to America, there to hopefully rebuild their lives.

But that was then. Now we must muster the courage and demonstrate the decency to forget the past, live the present and hope for the future even as we remember the beautiful thoughts that embrace us— “God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can and the wisdom to know the difference.”

When Distrito went on trial for murder but later entered a plea of manslaughter before Judge David Wall in Las Vegas, his lawyer Dan Silverstein as well as Distrito’s wife and children appealed to those who knew him to provide testimonials regarding his character which were sent to Silverstein or coursed through us for forwarding to the lawyer.

One of the first was from the man who banned him, the late commissioner Bernardino which, in many respects, reflected the compassion and the goodness of Jun, a man in a million. It is relevant to recall what Bernardino said about Distrito in his letter, which we forwarded to the lawyer and the judge.

Distrito was named the “Destroyer” or “Enforcer.” He was called those names, wrote Bernardino, “not because he was bad, but simply because he destroyed the rhythm of the opposing team.” He said Distrito “exuded confidence which rubbed off among his teammates because of his leadership and fearless attitude.”

While his type of play was rugged and physical, he was never “dirty.” The late commissioner noted that like the superstars of his time, Distrito was one player who “brought fun, excitement and color to the game.”

When the redoubtable “King of the Boards” and former Toyota superstar Abe King appealed to us not so long ago for help in trying to raise $10,000, which the Las Vegas court ordered Distrito to pay as “Restitution” to the mother of Mexican Juan Amaya who died of stab wounds after a scuffle with Distrito outside a Las Vegas apartment in November 2004, we knew that for all the sometimes negative image of Distrito that the PBA board was made up of men of deep compassion and a willingness to help those who needed help.

Not known to many, the PBA as an institution has done a great deal collectively in the effort to bring a little happiness into the lives of millions in many different ways and that individually there are teams that make substantial contributions to alleviating poverty and improving the quality of life of the less fortunate.

When the merged PLDT-Smart Foundation launched what was essentially a new beginning under the dynamic and sincere leadership of PLDT and Smart chairman Manny Pangilinan, in celebration of his 61st birthday, it reinforced the fundamental idea of giving back to the communities that the Group serves.

Now involved with corporate social responsibility programs focused on education, community building, arts and culture and sports and athletic development, PLDT-Smart and Pangilinan, who owns the Talk N Text franchise in the PBA, is an example of a team owner engrossed in endeavors that are committed to fulfill the needs and uplift the quality of life of each and every Filipino.

We knew firsthand the heart of the PBA board because in 2002, its 10 members along with RFM Corp. headed by youthful Joey Concepcion who had already sold his PBA Pop Cola franchise, together, without us asking, provided substantial help when we suffered a heart attack and had to undergo a triple angioplasty. It is a gesture we will forever cherish.

Given this background we had no hesitation in forwarding the request of King along with our own appeal for help for Distrito. Ricky Vargas, as chairman of the PBA board of governors, with the wholehearted support of another great Filipino institution in the world of big business—San Miguel Corp.—and other leading companies that form the 10-member PBA board responded immediately.

In his letter to us, King spoke of the “passion-filled and cloud of doubt behind Rudy’s case” and in appealing for help from friends, colleagues, sports media, the athletic community and most of all the PBA, noted “irrespective of what people say of Rudy’s brand of play, there were many ardent admirers of the spirit he gave the sport.”

The response of the board was truly magnanimous. Their decision to contribute $2,000 set the tone for the overall effort and won the eternal gratitude of Distrito, his wife Jocelyn and his eldest daughter Sweet who was at the fund-raising PBA Legends game in Seattle, Washington, last Sunday and received a giant replica of the $2,000 check.

King informed Standard Today that there were “banners thanking PBA chairman Ricky Vargas, commissioner Noli Eala and Viva Sports’ Ronnie Nathanielsz everywhere in the audience” and the “ambience was that of PBA games in Manila. It was great for the thrill and nostalgia of Fil-A, basketball aficionados in America.”

The inaugural project of the PBA Legends USA Foundation, the fund-raising All Star Game played at the Renton High School Gym in Seattle, turned out to be a huge success in terms of what King said was “solidifying the name of the foundation in the larger community regarding the objectives of service, sports development, civic work, entertainment and charity.”

The spectators were excitedly anticipating the arrival of the former PBA players and the game itself and arrived at the venue early afternoon. However, to the consternation of all concerned, the Alaska Airlines flight carrying seven players from Burbank, California, was delayed by some seven hours resulting in the game starting two hours late.

The fans, to their credit, waited without complaints. Those who arrived earlier were Yoyoy Villamin (New York), Peter Aguilar (Chicago), Ponky Alolor and Marte Saldaña (San Francisco), coach Rino Salazar (Alaska) and Elmer Lago and King who held the fort while waiting for the seven headed by Bernie Fabiosa.

There was a 3-point shooting contest among spectators and the winner who received a nice trophy challenged Lago who hadn’t lost his shooting touch and won.

King told us the atmosphere was “so festive and cheerful, parang fiesta sa barrio. Music, dancers, food and souvenirs were all there in the gym.” There were fastbreaks, layups, jump shots, tricky passes which prompted King to reminisce “one could only imagine how good the athletes were when we were younger.”

The Burbank group finally arrived direct from the airport. They quickly put on their jerseys and warmed up to warm applause from the spectators. The two teams—the Rex de Asis team coached by Fabiosa and the Ohana Harbor Coffee team handled by playing-coach Salazar—gave the fans something to cheer about.

With under a minute to play, the De Asis team anchored by Alolor and Villamin were leading the Ohana squad which included King, Onchie de la Cruz and Django Rivera by two points. Baskets were traded before King hit an unexpected triple.

Alolor was all business, made the last two baskets to eventually lead the De Asis team to a 98-92 victory. King said Alolor, who obviously was “so hungry for the Most Valuable Player trophy, parang hindi exhibition maglaro,” eventually won the award which was handed to him by Distrito’s daughter Sweet.

If anything, the event and all the efforts to help Distrito in his time of need are a tribute to the essential kindness and concern of the Filipino for a countryman. Indeed, the scores of letters including touching lines from Senator Jinggoy Estrada for whose San Juan Knights Distrito played in the now-defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association, former Senator Jaworski, former RFM team manager Elmer Yanga as well as many others, including the columns we had penned about Distrito in Standard Today had an impact on the sentence handed down by Judge Wall.

Salazar, a longtime family friend who was in the courtroom with wife Rose and their two sons when the sentence was handed down, quoted the judge as saying he could not ignore Distrito’s background which he mentioned “suggests your character is responsible for the number of people who stand behind you.”

In an overseas telephone conversation with us, Distrito’s wife Jocelyn said: “Thank you so much for all your help. The verdict was good. We wish to thank all our countrymen who helped.” The Las Vegas Review Journal noted that the 48-year-old Distrito “remained a hero to his family and friends.”

In a recent handwritten note in Pilipino, which was published on the PBA Legends USA Foundation Web site, Distrito addressed his countrymen and friends.

TO KABABAYAN AT KAIBIGAN:

Maraming salamat sa lahat kong kababayan at mga kaibigan sa Philippine Basketball Association. Ang suporta ninyong lahat sa akin ay mahalaga sa buhay ko at sa familia ko. Ang tulong na ibinibigay ninyo ay kayamanan sa akin habang ako’y nabubuhay. Hindi ko makakalimutan lahat at kasama ko kayo sa panalangin ko araw araw. Maraming salamat ulit sa panalangin ninyo at sa lahat ng tulong. Mabilis kong makakapiling ang familia ko sa tulong ninyong lahat.

Maraming salamat.
Kababayan at kapatid.
(Sgd) Rudy Distrito

As the late PBA commissioner Bernardino once said: “Everyone wanted Rudy as a friend because of his loyalty, trustworthiness, caring attitude and his being fun to be with. He never hesitated to extend a helping hand to anyone who was in need—even if it meant putting his reputation and life on the line.” Virtues that have been truly recognized and rewarded with a helping hand.

[dieseldust]

BY REY JOBLE

Air21 trades rookie Borboran for Quiñahan



FEW hours after returning from a two-game exhibition series against the Singapore Slingers, Air21 made a swift move to address its immediate need for a big man.

Loaded with swingmen, the Express traded rookie Mark Borboran in exchange for Alaska Aces backup center JR Quiñahan.

Both first round draftees, the trade between Borboran and Quinahan came as no surprise, especially with the Express needing to release a logjam at the wing spots. The team has Arwind Santos, last season’s Most Valuable Player runner-up, Gary David, comebacking JC Intal, versatile forward Niño Canaleta and combo guard newcomer Cholo Villanueva.

“We are very crowded at the wing spots and is lacking another post player, but we addressed that after securing the services of JR Quiñahan,” Air21 president and team manager Lito Alvarez told Standard Today. “We know both players could shine in their new teams now.”

The Aces acquired Joe Devance, who was plucked in after a trade involving rookie guard Solomon Mercado, now playing for Rain or Shine, and Ervin Sotto from Air21 only recently.

With these frontliners making the squad, chances of Quiñahan getting more playing time is highly remote. With the Express, the beefy, 6-6 center and former stalwart of the University of Visayas Lancers , will most likely be given more exposure.

He could come off the bench to give veteran Homer Se and talented forward Ranidel de Ocampo a breather.

Air21 coach Bo Perasol believes the trade is a win-win situation for both camps.

“If you will notice our good placings in the previous years, we were a better team if we have a Shawn Daniels or a Steve Thomas in our team because they are solid frontliners and post players,” said Perasol. “We figured we can have a better chance in the All-Filipino if we will get an additional post player and Quiñahan is a good addition.”