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It's basketball time once again! All the basketball fans are celebrating because NBA and PBA is back with new season.

As I am writing this post, PBA, Asia's first pro league is having it's opening ceremony. The NBA meanwhile is currently on it's pre-season games. There's a lot to look forward to in this two leagues because of the player movements during the off-season.

In the PBA, Purefoods, Ginebra, Coca-Cola and Burger King made major tweaks in the lineup. Of course, the off-season is highlighted by the issue involving 2009 overall first pick, Japeth Aguilar of Burger King. Aguilar, initially refused to sign a 3-year 8.7 million pack from Burger King because of his intention to play for the Smart Guilas National team composed of amatuers and import CJ Guiles under coach Rajko Toroman. However, just last week, things were sorted out and Aguilar is set to play with Burger King for at least a year.

Over at the NBA, La Lakers is still highly favored to go for back to back crown because the team is basically intact. They only lose Trevor Arize but got a solid defender and decent scorer in Ron Artest. Boston is looking to regain it's throne by having a healthy Kevin Garnett for the season and veteran all-star Rasheed Wallace on their bench to lead their 2nd unit. Not to be neglected, is Lebron James and the Cavs. Cavs just got bigger with the Big Diesel, Shaquille O'neal on their roster. Other recruits include Jamarion Moon from Miami and Anthony Parker from Toronto.

It's gonna be a blast of basketball starting this October. So better have your choose the best among Direct TV Packages to enjoy full basketball action. There are plenty of Direct TV Offers to choose from. Direct TV Deals have become affordable for everyone.

Enjoy basketball at it's finest!

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The long wait is finally over. The final cast has been settled and it's time to for some serious ball.

Dwayne Wade has shown no signs of slowing down after being sidelined last year for several injuries. After being a part of the USA team in the Olympics, he has continued his brilliant performance in the NBA. Despite a relatively weak line-up, Miami is in good position for the NBA playoffs. All thanks to Dwayne Wade. Wade has gone into a rampage. He's logging MVP numbers every game.

Boston is the latest team to bow down to Wade and the rest of the Heat, 99-107. Wade exploded for 32 points, 4 rebounds, 4 steals, and 4 assists. With a depleted lineup, Boston struggled to keep up with the Heat's offense. Boston played minus Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo, Glen Davis, Tony Allen and Brian Scalabrine.

Miami has also been performin well after acquiring Jamario Moon and Jermaine O'neal form the Toronto Raptors in exchange for forward Shawn Marion. But certainly, Dwyane is the heart and soul of this squad. In their last 7 outings, check out Wade's numbers:

Last 7 Games (5 wins)
PPG 38.4
FG % 56.9
APG 10.6
RPG 6.4
SPG 3.6

Diagnosed with the big C disease (nasopharyngeal cancer) 2 years ago, Rommel Adducul went through several medications including chemotherapy in order to win his battle against cancer. Rommel's battle was closely looked after by his fans, basketball community, and the media. Rommel is a product of San Sebastian College and first made noise in the MBA (Metropolitan Basketball Association) where he played for the Metro Manila Stars. The General is back!

Rommel is back in the active roster of Purefoods. He played for the first time since being sidelined last Saturday against Rain or Shine. He saw 11 minutes of action and able to score 2 points and grabbed 5 rebounds, 3 on the offensive end.

Rommel lacked quickness, lateral movement and grip for the ball. In his game, the ball slipped off his hands several times. But all these are understandable. More importantly, he can definitely work on these things. There's always room for improvement for a guy who is more than willing and determined to learn.

I'm just glad to see "THE GENERAL" back in action.

GOODBYE

Francis "Kiko" Magalona

BasketballChat: Am I good looking now? ^_^

Wasted 2 hours of my day just to give this blog a bath. *wink Hope this will be the final layout unless.. unless I change my mind again. hahaha I'm not yet done with some tweaks. Some links are still missing but hopefully I can get everything done this weekend.

I'm also undecided if I should add a "Read more" option for my posts. hmmmm. I've done it in my other blog.

That's about it for now.

Just when everybody thought that this year's trade deadline would be world-rocking, things went the other way around. Big names like Amare Stoudemire, Vince Carter, Shaq, and other players stayed with their respective teams.

Global financial crisis is the said to be the main culprit for the inability of the teams to move these big names. All teams in the NBA are trying to avoid exceeding allowed team salary cap to avoid further financial damages (NBA luxury tax). It was very hard to shop for teams who are willing to snatch star players because these players are coupled with luxurious contracts.

The Chicago Bulls is on of the few teams that made some trades just before the deadline to beef-up their roster and clean-up their finances. The team acquired Brad Miller and John Salmons from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Drew Gooden, Andres Nocioni, and Cedric Simmons. The Bulls also parted with injury-prone guard Larry Hughes who was sent to New York in exchange for Tim Thomas, Jerome James, and Anthony Robertson.

This trade gives the two teams some salary relief. Hughes makes $12.8 million this year; James and Thomas make $12.2 million combined.

Another interesting trade, or should I say a supposed trade was the between the Oklahoma Thunders and New Orleans Hornets. Hornets' center Tyson Chandler was headed to Oklahoma for Cris Wilcox and veteran Joe Smith. Still a financially-driven trade especially on the part of the Hornets. However, Oklahoma retracted from the trade after Tyson Chandler had his physical tests with the Thunders. The deal was then cancelled. Eventually, Oklahoma moved Cris Wilcox for Malik Rose of the New York Knicks. Chandler remains in New Orleans.

Days before the trade deadline, Jermaine O'neal and Jamarion Moon of the Toronto Raptors were traded to Miami for "The Matrix" Shawn Marion.

Trade round-up:

Rafer Alston to Orlando - Kyle Lowry, Bryan Cook to Houston
Cris Mihm to Memphis - Conditional draft pick to LA
Sam Cassell signed with Sacramento Kings

Sources: nba, espn

TalkNText defeated Alaska Aces to claim the KFC PBA All Filipino Cup Crown. And so, all teams are now looking forward for the upcoming import-plague conference, the Motolite PBA Fiesta Cup.

Most of the teams are recalling former imports. Teams settling for tried and tested imports are Burger King (formerly Air21) with Shawn Daniels, Coca-Cola Tigers with JJ Sullinger but is said to be replaced by James Penny by March, Rain or Shine with Charles Clark, and the Gin Kings with hotshot Rod Nealy. Parading new imports are Sta. Lucia Realtors with Arthur James Jackson, and the TJ Giants with high-flyer Reggie Larry.

San Miguel Beermen, Alaska, Bull Barakos and recently crowned TalkNText Tropang Texters have yet to name their imports.

This will definitely be a run and gun conference. Games will certainly be high-scoring with the imports providing offensive firepower for their respective ball clubs. Meanwhile, cancer survivor, Rommel Adducul is reported to be in very good shape. According to Purefoods governor Rene Pardo, Adducul undergoes heavy training to regain and even improve his strength. Mr. Pardo assured the Adducul's fans that "The General" will be seeing action this Fiesta Cup.

Courtesy: Boise State Sports Information

Reggie Larry
Forward - F
Height: 6-6 Weight: 225
Junior
Previous Affiliations
Barringer HS
College of Southern Idaho
Previous Experience
TR
Hometown
Newark, NJ

Following the major player movements of the Gin Kings, Purefoods, and Air21 which is now Burger King, teams are certainly busy reshaping, tweaking their rosters. Aside from getting the best import, player movements are very crucial.

Purefoods added offensive threats to address their problem of having Kerby Raymundo and James Yap as their go-to-guys, which made the team's offense so predictable. The new acquisitions also add muscle and experience to the team as both Allado and Canaleta has been in the league for a while now. Canaleta certainly has the potential to be McGrady or Kobe type of player. He's agile, quick, can dribble, shooot, basically can score. I really hope he can finally bloom with Purefoods. Allado, the role player that he is, I'm sure he'll fit in Purefoods.

The Kings get young blood in Intal, Kramer and point guard Lanete. Burger King gets Belga, Alonzo and future draft picks of Ginebra. Well, they already stole Celino Cruz and Cyrus Baguio earlier this season so they are loaded at the guard positions. Belga will fit in.

As of now players are busy watching NFL TV as most team are to start their dirty work by February. NFL TV package, NFL Sunday ticket are up for grabs.

THREE-WAY TRADE SENDS ALLADO, CANALETA TO PUREFOODS
dennis PRINCIPE
Monday, 26 January 2009

Seven players will be wearing new uniforms when the PBA’s Fiesta Conference opens shop next month.

Purefoods TJ Giants, hampered by injuries to players expected to deliver on offense this season got two talented players in Don Allado and Nino Canaleta from Air21. The Giants had to let go of Beau Belga, Chad Alonzo, Chico Lanete and their 2013 draft pick.

“We have acknowledged identified our weakness in the last conference which is scoring. Those two will definitely help us to more or less address our choke point because they are known as good offensive players,” said coach Ryan Gregorio when contacted by SportsNews.ph.

Gregorio said his team has become predictably a Kerby Raymundo-James Yap team especially down the stretch and now feels his new recruits will help a lot in addressing that problem.

"It will definitely alleviate our problems in relying too much from James and Kerby in scoring. One thing certain is that we will play according to their strengths. KG is probably the best finisher in the open court,” said Gregorio “You give him the ball, he knows what to do with it. We will try not to make things complicated. With them on board it will open up the paint for us.”

The Express meanwhile immediately shipped Lanete along with JC Intal and Doug Kramer to Barangay Ginebra for the Gin Kings 2012 and 2013 draft picks.

“For me it’s not really a blockbuster trade because we feel it will just fill in our injured spots. It’s not really a trade that will turn the team around. It will help the team but it’s more on answering the need to fill in our injured spots,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

Uichico said Junthy Valenzuela recently underwent operation which the multi-titled mentor refused to divulge. Uichico however said Valenzuela will be out of commission for about six to eight weeks.

Uichico added that they have no idea when superstar Mark Caguioa will be back. Caguioa also underwent knee operation late last year by Los Angeles Lakers team physician Steve Lombardo.

Uichico hopes his two new additions will help solve their needs sooner than expected.

“Doug is young but we’ll see what he can do. For sure it will help our frontline. We really have more five’s than we have four’s,” said Uichico “JC and Doug have good potentials but potential is potential. We still have to see if they will be able to do what I want them to do.”

Meanwhile Gregorio said management have already reached an agreement with their import Reggie Larry, a former Boise State standout who had a short stint with the Golden State Warriors during the league’s summer tournament last year.

source

In one of the best sudden-death match-ups in the PBA, San Miguel Beermen managed recovered from 21-point deficit in the 3rd to snatch a 98-93 victory over the crowd-favorite Brgy. Ginebra Kings.

Ginebra controlled the game right at the tip-off especially when Olsen Racela was called for a flagrant foul penalty 2 as he placed his foot on the landing lot of Jayjay Helterbrand gunning for a 3-pointer. Racela's ejection led to Helterbrand's rampage scorching SMB from the rainbow country. Helterbrand finished with 30 points but was held down to only 10 in the 2nd half. SMB haunted BGK in the 3rd with their fullcourt press and Dondon Hontiveros turned on his hot shooting. Rookie Bonbon Custodio also stepped up especially in the 4th, tricking Ginebra with his daredevil drives to the hoop.

It's a sour defeat for Ginebra. I could only imagine the misery of the Ginebra fans who were already celebrating in the 3rd when the Gin Kings established huge lead and had their shots falling from everywhere. Then, there came the San Miguel juggernaut.

SMB advances to the semis facing well-rested Talk n Text Tropang Texters. This only shows that the two teams made the right moves during the off-season. Recall that the two got involve on a draft day trade which sent Jay Washington to SMB for SMB's 3rd draft pick. TnT then selected spitfire pointguard Jason Castro.

San Miguel 98 -- Hontiveros 34, Custodio 13, Tugade 11, Seigle 9, Washington 8, Villanueva 7, Pennisi 5, Pena 4, Pingris 3, Baguion 2, racela 2, Gonzales 0.

Ginebra 93 -- Helterbrand 30, Salvacion 17, Menk 9, Mamaril 8, Tubid 7, Pacana 6, Artadi 6, Wilson 6, Valenzuela 4, Escalona 0, Cabatu 0.

Quarterscores: 14-22, 36-49, 67-70, 98-93

"Crab Dribble" is the hottest buzz in the NBA today. Lebron James strongly asserted that his move against the Wizards wasn't a travel. However, the world says otherwise.

I would like to show you this video which shows a similar move by King James which wasn't called for a travelling violation. In fact, the commentators had all praises for the move. Check it out, and compare.

QUARTERFINALS (Best of 3)

(1) Sta. Lucia Realtors vs Rain or Shine Elasto Painters

(2) San Miguel Beermen vs Brgy. Ginebra Kings

SEMIFINALS (Best of 7)

Alaska Aces vs WINNER of (1)

Talk n Text Tropang Texters vs WINNER of (2)


Winners of the semis moves on to the best of 7 finals showdown.