[EDITORS' NOTE: With this piece, we begin this weekly treat for our readers that features contributions from the entire SPIN.ph staff on everything and anything interesting in the world of Philippine sports]
THE Smart Araneta Coliseum is still the venue of choice for college basketball championship games. It was so in demand that both the NCAA's and the UAAP's deciding Game 3s, should they become neccessary, were booked on the same date: December 14.
If the two championship playoffs go to a decider, here's the projected schedule: the NCAA winner-take-all match will tip off at 2:30 p.m., while the UAAP Game 3 between La Salle and UP will be held beginning 5:30 p.m.
READ UAAP, NCAA deciders set to be played back-to-back at Big Dome
No one's budging at the momet, more so the NCAA since sources insisted the grand 'ol league negotiated to book the venue much earlier than the UAAP.
Mapua is currently leading the best-of-three series against College of St. Benilde, 1-0. The second game is set on Saturday, Dec. 7.
An NCAA insider pointed out the league came out with its schedule for the finals as early as last week shortly after the Final Four held at the Astrodome.
“Last Saturday (Nov. 23) pa lang nilabas na ng liga 'yung schedule for the entire finals indicating we’re playing all our games sa Araneta,” said the source.
The UAAP, on the other hand, arranged a possible La Salle-UP Game 3 only last Saturday, after its finalists were determined.
Incidentally, the UAAP also scheduled the women’s basketball finals pitting undefeated NU Lady Bulldogs against the winner of the UST-Adamson stepladder knockout match.
A SPIN.ph source said the UAAP has also booked the Big Dome for Dec. 15 as a back-up plan. But social media announcements on the schedule change were posted and suddenly pulled out on Monday. So what gives? - Gerry Ramos
Major Chery Tiggo signing on the way?
WHILE Chery Tiggo continues to iron out Eya Laure’s ongoing contract impasse, it has reportedly secured the services of a PVL champion star.
The said player, a decorated league veteran, recently left her club to seek a fresh start elsewhere.
Limited game time over the past few conferences reportedly played a part in her departure. She reportedly was pissed because she was rarely used though she was uninjured.
READ EJ Laure signs with Nxled after leaving Chery Tiggo
A SPIN.ph source confirmed that this well-loved PVL star has already started training with her new team but isn’t expected to make her debut before the league’s Christmas break starting Dec. 15, bar any late changes.
Taking time to jell with her teammates, alongside fitness considerations, are a few factors behind her delayed debut, similar to the situation involving Rachel Daquis and EJ Laure who have yet to suit up for their new teams Farm Fresh and Nxled, respectively.
But the bigger reason, sources said, involves the terms of her contract with her former team which will expire by the end of the year.- John Mark Garcia
La Salle will do everything not to piss KQ off
WITH La Salle preparing for a grand finish in the UAAP basketball tournament, the entire university, including the coaching staff, the brothers at the helm of the school, the faculty, the student body, are all concerned about one thing: don't do anything to piss off star player Kevin Quiambao.
So whatever the guy does or did, such as having a stint with Gilas Pilipinas, playing abroad or risking injury by seeing action in a ligang labas game, which he did again just last week, that's OK. The important thing is he plays his best, without any mental baggage, and win the UAAP basketball championship for his team and the school.
That appears to be what really matters for La Salle, seeking a back-to-back, which almost entirely, if we may add, depends on the performance of the person also known as KQ. The player who shortly will soon be winning his second MVP, will carry the hopes and dreams of his alma mater on his back.
In short, Kevin has the full confidence of the entire La Salle community. Quiambao has returned the favor and said he is fully committed to do his best and that the most important thing for him right now is to win the championship.
La Salle is hoping to win back-to-back UAAP championships for the first time in over two decades, or since coach Franz Pumaren steered the Green Archers to a four-peat from 1998 to 2001.
What lies for Quiambao after, however, is a different story.
Stand-in import for Ginebra?
WHEN Barangay Ginebra starts its PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup campaign, Justin Brownlee will be its import, as listed in the opening day roster released by the league.
The Gin Kings open against NLEX on December 11 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
“He will start immediately with us on December 11,” said Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
SPIN.ph, however, learned that Ginebra tinkered with the idea of fielding a temporary import before Brownlee plays in the conference so as to give him more time to rest. It has been a busy 2024 for the Gila naturalized player who has played for Pelita Jaya in Indonesia before suiting up for the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup last July.
Ginebra reached the finals, but despite having Brownlee, the team lost to TNT. Brownlee also played for Gilas in the recent FIBA window, which means Brownlee has been playing full time for the last five months.
Cone, aware of the situation, has given Brownlee a free hand to make the decision on whether he'd want to play in the Commissioner’s Cup or not.
But apparently, the 17-day gap in between Gilas’ game against Hong Kong and Ginebra’s opening match in the Commissioner’s Cup is already enough time for Brownlee to feel rejuvenated and refreshed. So he will be good to go come December 11. - Reuben Terrado
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