Games Wednesday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
8 a.m. – UPIS vs FEU-D (Boys)
10 a.m. – DLSZ vs UST (Boys)
12 noon – NU vs UST (Women Finals)
6 p.m. – UP vs DLSU (Men Finals)

MANILA — The University of the Philippines remains plagued by the Game 2 curse.

La Salle asserted dominance in the second quarter and controlled the latter half, convincingly defeating UP, 82-60, Sunday (03 Dec 2023).

This victory forced another game in the UAAP men’s basketball Finals, captivating a crowd of 20,863 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Despite UP’s initial burst, securing a 12-2 lead with Malick Diouf’s consecutive baskets, La Salle adapted.

They weathered a 27-point onslaught in the first period, then strategically limited the Fighting Maroons to 11 points in each subsequent quarter, evening the series at one game apiece (1-1).

Once again, UP finds itself unable to clinch the series in Game 2, marking their fourth consecutive loss in such situations.

The decisive championship match is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday at the legendary Big Dome.

In the women’s division, National University disrupted the potential coronation of the University of Santo Tomas, winning 72-70 and pushing the series to a crucial Game 3. Camille Clarin’s stellar performance with 18 points and eight assists, along with Karl Pingol’s contribution of 14 points and five boards, thwarted the Tigresses’ bid to end a 17-year championship drought.

“Buhay pa kami. Buhay pa kami,” said NU coach Aris Dimaunahan. “Today’s mindset was just to stay alive, stay in the present. We don’t even think of Game 1, we don’t even think of Game 3. Our main focus is Game 2 only.”

Angel Surada scored the game’s biggest basket, a short jumper that gave the Lady Bulldogs a 72-68 cushion with 1:01 remaining.

Kent Pastrana, who was fouled in the next play and drilled both her foul line shots with 47.8 seconds left to cut UST’s deficit to 70-72, had a chance to become the hero but could not get the job done.

After Clarin uncharacteristically missed both free throws with 11.5 seconds left, the Tigresses had a shot of winning it all but Pastrana’s three-pointer from the left corner went short.

“We just had to remind ourselves why we do it, why we love the sport so much, and what’s really at stake. I think when we figured out why we’re doing it, that’s what gave us the heart to go out and execute until the last minute,” said Clarin.

In the high school boys’ basketball, Carl Manding scored the game-winning lay-up in the final 2.5 seconds as UST pulled off a narrow 82-81 win over Far Eastern University-Diliman.

The Tiger Cubs, who drew a game-high 25 points from Wacky Ludovice, survived a 37-point fourth quarter by the Baby Tamaraws to raise their record to 2-1.

Kieffer Alas posted his first triple-double of the season with 19 points, 17 rebounds and 13 assists as La Salle-Zobel joined UST and NU-Nazareth at 2-1 with a 100-76 dismantling of UP Integrated School.

Manding, JB Lim, and Kurt Velasquez each scored 10 points for the Tiger Cubs.

Bonn Daja had a double-double of 18 points and 11 boards while Waki Espina (16), Charles Dimaano (14), and Andrei Pabellano (12) also logged double-digit scoring for the Junior Archers, who led by as much as 27 points.

(AI/MNM)

MANILA — The 2023 FIBA World Cup has commenced, marking a captivating new chapter in the history of Philippine sports. As Manila takes the spotlight as the host city, it welcomes the grandeur of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, an unparalleled spectacle in the world of basketball.

Kicking off with today’s opening ceremony and matchups, including the showdown between Team Gilas Pilipinas and the formidable Dominican Republic, the FIBA World Cup will unfold over the ensuing 17 days. During this time, 32 teams that have emerged triumphant from a rigorous elimination phase will test their mettle in the ultimate clash, determining the reigning champion for the next four years.

Securing the opportunity to host this year’s FIBA World Cup was a hard-fought battle for the Philippines. Consequently, every possible effort has been made to ensure that this event resonates as a resounding success. The significance is underscored by the realization that such a golden opportunity might not present itself for decades to come.

While the Philippines shares the hosting duties with Okinawa and Jakarta, the pivotal medal rounds will unfold on Philippine soil. This represents an extraordinary treat for the millions of Filipino basketball enthusiasts eagerly anticipating the rare spectacle of witnessing the finest talents of Philippine basketball pitted against other internationally acclaimed players.

The country has prepared more than enough for this moment with no other than the country’s No. 1 sports fan in President Marcos declaring suspension of classes and work in Metro Manila and Bulacan to make sure basketball affionados come and watch live the biggest spectacle that’s about to unfold late afternoon Thursday, 25 August 2023.

The chief executive is expected to grace the opening rites at the caverous 55,000-seater Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Labeling Filipinos as fervent basketball aficionados is no hyperbole. In nearly every neighborhood, a basketball court is a common sight. These courts might feature uneven hoops and rusted backboards, situated on simple patches of leveled ground. However, they serve as the initial training grounds for young, barefoot boys—the birthplace of dreams.

The origins of basketball in the Philippines have an elusive history, largely due to limited historical records. Some accounts attribute the game’s introduction to American educators towards the late 1800s, coinciding with America’s influence over the country. The sport was still in its nascent stage in the United States, having been conceived by Canadian-American doctor James Naismith in 1861.

The act of dribbling a ball and aiming it at a hoop (initially a peach basket with its base removed) swiftly captured the local boys’ interest, birthing a national pastime.

For a period, the Philippines held an unchallenged dominion over basketball in Asia, earning this accolade during the 1913 Far Eastern Games.

With time, this appeal evolved into a national fixation. Over a century later, basketball has cast its enchantment over an entire nation. The country boasts professional and semi-professional leagues, with basketball reigning as the premier sport in the UAAP and the NCAA. For numerous barangays (villages), a fiesta celebration remains incomplete without a basketball tournament.

As per reports, the Philippines ranks as Nike’s third-largest basketball market, trailing only behind the United States and China.

Tim Cone, a highly decorated PBA coach, captured the essence of the Filipino people’s affinity for basketball in a recent interview. He stated, “We have three seasons: rainy season, dry season, and basketball season, and we play basketball through it all. That’s the passion.”

Predictably, the ultimate aspiration for many young players is to represent the national team. Earning a spot on the roster, alongside the luminaries of Philippine basketball, is a distinct honor.

Carlos Loyzaga stands among the legends who proudly donned the national colors. Standing at six-foot-one, Loyzaga led the national team to a commendable third-place finish in the 1954 World Basketball Championship held in Rio de Janeiro. This achievement remains the Philippines’ finest performance in the precursor to the modern FIBA World Cup.

Numerous court heroes have answered the call to serve the Philippine team. Lauro Mumar shared the court with Loyzaga during the 1954 championship. Narciso Bernardo and Ed Ocampo became fixtures in various national teams, alongside Alvin Patrimonio, Bogs Adornado, Manny Paner, Ramon Fernandez, and Allan Caidic.

Robert Jaworski emerged as a driving force behind several Philippine teams.

It’s fitting that FIBA has chosen the Manila World Cup as the stage to posthumously induct Loyzaga into its Hall of Fame, commemorating his legacy.

The pursuit of basketball glory endures to this day. The Philippines’ Gilas squad will confront some of the globe’s premier teams. Positioned as the underdog, Gilas takes pride in its “puso” — an unwavering fighting spirit.

For this reason, Gilas merits the admiration and wholehearted backing of the nation as it revels in national pride, standing at the heart of the basketball universe for the upcoming two weeks. (ai/mnm)