NCAA Season 98 set for Final Four in HS Basketball

Games today at the San Andres Sports Complex

12 noon – Letran vs Mapua
2:30 p.m. – San Beda vs LSGH

High school basketball gets more intense with the official start of the postseason for the NCAA this afternoon at the San Andres Sports Complex.

The Squires were forced to take a break after completing their eliminations campaign last February 20 with an 8-1 record, as the league needed to sort out the Final Four cast after a quadruple tie to end the regular season. They will face the Red Robins after they locked in their spot as the 4-seed with a 86-75 defeat to San Beda in the gauntlet.

In the process of determining the postseason field, it was the Red Cubs that emerged on top as the second seed, dispatching the Greenies in what turned out to be the unofficial start of their "virtual best-of-three matchup," 83-77. The team of Miko Roldan is filled with confidence after winning all three games in the gauntlet to earn the other twice-to-beat advantage.

The Letran-Mapua matchup is scheduled at noon, followed by the San Beda-LSGH duel at 230pm.

Perasol eyes double duty for Monteverde in UP and UPIS

Goldwin Monteverde is likely going to do double duty for the University of the Philippines.

Program Director for Basketball Bo Perasol endorsed the integration of the basketball program of the university with the program in place for the University of the Philippines Integrated School, with one of the moves having Monteverde concurrently serving as head coach of both the high school boys and the senior team.

Goldwin has had tremendous success at the high school level, steering his teams to championships, from the UAAP to the NBTC, PSSBC, MMBL, and even in the Palarong Pambansa and the ASEAN School Games.

In his letter to incoming University of the Philippines president Atty. Angelo Jimenez, Perasol writes, "To ensure sustainability of the program, especially now that UP’s aspirations are high, is to have an integrated and well-coordinated basketball program from high school to college."

He adds, "We want to recruit players from around the country that will excel not only in basketball but will also survive the rigors of UPIS academic demand. Those young players, with proper training program and exposure, will make sure our program in the UPMBT continues."

Perasol also reassured Jimenez that the current management team of the UP Men's Basketball Team is guarantee support for the Junior Maroons and set the table for its own success. This includes recruitment and screening, academic support, strength and conditioning, skills training, team building, basketball data analytics. This also extends to the improvement of training facilities, among others.

He shares, "We hope to replicate our experience in the seniors’ program and elevate the juniors’ program to become more competitive and hopefully to be back in the final four and aim for championship."

Perasol also notes that incumbent UPIS head coach Paolo Mendoza endorses the move. The UP alumnus "yearns for such change and supports the integration and the direction of UP’s basketball program in Diliman."

Bo also emphasized that the success of the Junior Maroons will have a trickle-down effect and benefit the other sports within the UPIS program, including volleyball, swimming, and athletics. It also will provide another venue to provide support from the alumni.

NBTC set for online broadcast

The 2023 SMART-NBTC National Finals is set to take place on March 15-19, with the Mall of Asia hosting most of the matches involving the 24 participating teams.

It is making a return after a pandemic-imposed hiatus the last three years, with the game's stars of tomorrow getting their turn in the limelight.

NBTC Program Director Eric Altamirano shares, "It has always been our mission to put the spotlight on the grassroots level of Philippine basketball and after 13 years, that remains the same. We firmly believe that investing in the future now can only set us up for a brighter tomorrow."

The 24 teams are broken down into four teams from the UAAP and NCAA, eight teams from the NBTC Global Games, and the twelve Local Qualifying Tournament champions.

March 15 will feature the Super 24 round, with the winners ticketed to Division 1 and the losers to Division 2. A draw will then determine the composition of the four groups of three that comprise the round robin in the subsequent days. The top teams of each group will advance to the semifinals of each division, with the winners facing off in the culminating day on March 19.

The final day will also feature the inaugural final of the Girls Have Next, as well as the Under Armour-NBTC All-Star Game and its side events. The eight-team tournament for the girls that is powered by Fil-Nation Select will take place at Pretty Huge in Taguig from March 15-17, with the field split into two groups in a round robin.

Fans will be able to watch the action through three Facebook pages: the NBTC's, SMART Sports, and Puso Pilipinas.

Representing SMART, PLDT First Vice President and Head of Sports Jude Turcuato shares, "Our chairman MVP (Manny V. Pangilinan) and our president Al Panlilio are very committed and dedicated to nation-building and that’s really why we like supporting sports because it keeps everyone united."

As a long time partner of the NBTC, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas continues to recognize the role the program has with the NSA's vision and goals. Deputy Executive Director Butch Antonio says, "The NBTC has been a source of talent before and it will continue to do so."

This iteration of the SMART-NBTC National Finals is presented by SM, Strong Realty and Development Corp., Under Armour, and Molten. Serving as sponsors are Tecno, Regent, Rebel Sports Pilipinas, MNL Kingpin, Gatorade, Swish App, Victory Liner, Darlington, Coach E Basketball School, Lighthouse Events, and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

LaLiga and M88 Mansion organize Madrid derby viewing party

Tiago Cardoso Mendes

LaLiga seeks to continue establishing a foothold in the Philippine football scene, as they held a special viewing party for El Derbi de Madrid this past weekend.

The event took place at the Mansion Sports Bar & Lounge in Makati, with LaLiga Ambassador Tiago Mendes in attendance.

The former Atleti midfielder shares, "Thank you for this moment, the real warm welcome that you gave me tonight. It’s a pleasure to be here." The first-time Manila visitor was a part of the side that arguably had the best stretch of its long history, claiming the league title in 2014 and earning a finals berth in the UEFA Champions League twice in a span of three years.

With kickoff taking place at 330am, the event was filled with music from the in-house DJ, raffles and trivia games, with footballs and shirts from both teams serving as prizes while waiting for the game to commence.

In addition, a special Q&A with Tiago took place, with select attendees getting the chance to pick his brain, followed by a photo opportunity. Those who won Atleti-related prizes also had the possibility to have him sign them.

When asked about Real Madrid, he complemented the squad, "Real Madrid wins all the time and that’s what makes them special. They have a lot of good players all season and when you have great players who are close to winning, it’s always difficult to play against them. It is an honor to compete with them."

As for advice for aspiring footballers, Tiago says, "Follow your dreams and never give up. You will need everything. This is the path for happiness." He also hopes that football will continue to grow and become one of the biggest sports in the country.

Notable attendees from the event included members of the official Real Madrid supporters club in the country, Pena Madridista Filipinas, former Philippine internationals James Younghusband and Stephan Schroeck, as well as former Chooks Pilipinas 3x3 standout and current Meralco Bolts baller Franky Johnson.

Philippines Football League commissioner Coco Torre was also present, as well as representatives from the Philippine Football Federation and officials from the Spanish Embassy graced the proceedings.

The watch party was the latest event LaLiga conducted in the country, as it continues its efforts to help grow the game and provide a positive impact to both individuals and communities.

"We believe that the appreciation and interest for football is increasing among Filipinos. It’s a great sport that brings people together that’s why we will continue to bring exciting events for the Filipino fans," LaLiga delegate to the Philippines Almudena Gomez notes.

She adds, "LaLiga is more than just football. We go beyond what the sport has to offer to give back to the community."

The league recently held a gala dinner called Heroes Off the Pitch, honoring athletes and organizations for their contributions in helping grow sports in the country.

As for the game, El Derbi de Madrid finished with a 1-1 draw, with both goals coming in the second half.

Atleti overcame Angel Correa's red card in the 64th minute with a Jose Gimenez goal 14 minutes later, but Alvaro Rodriguez scored the equalizer in the 85th minute.

Fans can watch LaLiga through beIN Sports, both through cable television via Sky or Cignal, as well as online through beIN connect or the Setanta Sports platform.

UE kickstarts UAAP men's volleyball's return

c/o UAAP

The University of the East marked the return of the UAAP men's volleyball tournament after three years with a quick sweep of Adamson University, 25-18, 25-22, 25-14, Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

JM Andaya and Kenneth Culabat led the Red Warriors' onslaught with 14 points apiece with the latter adding 16 excellent receptions and seven digs.

Lloyd Josafat, who just returned from Taiwan training camp of the national team yesterday, was inserted late in the second set and the entirety of the third and delivered 10 points on eight attacks, a block, and an ace.

"During our final stretch of preparation kasi although si Lloyd and Coach Jerome are not with the team, very hands-on naman so ganon naman katutok," said UE assistant coach Ronwald Dimaculangan, who stepped in for head mentor Jerome Guhit who is with the national team as team manager.

After a downer first frame, AdU kept in step with the Red Warriors in the second set late, 22-23, but Josafat went off-the-block kill from the back row before Culabat nailed a push shot for the 2-0 advantage.

UE pounded the Falcons in the attacking department by a wide margin, gaining 54 spikes while their foes only managed 35 in the match that lasted just one hour and 22 minutes.

Red Warriors skipper Ralph Imperial tossed 20 excellent sets while Giles Torres and JP Mangahis tallied 10 points apiece as well in the match that lasted just one hour and 22 minutes.

"Lahat sumusunod lang and masaya 'yung panalo kasi pinaghirapan din naman talaga and a lot of sacrifices were made by the team," added Dimaculangan.

No Falcon reached double figures in scoring but Evander Novillo, Josh Magalaman, Jude Aguilar, and Francis Casas all got eight points. 

CESAFI champions lead provincial field for NBTC

SHS-Ateneo de Cebu

A dozen provincial teams are set to make a claim to be the best high school team in the country when the 2023 SMART NBTC National Finals takes place this March 15-19 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Leading the cast is CESAFI champion Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, which won the title back in 2015 by defeating traditional high school juggernaut San Beda.

And with the decision to open the competition to not just school-based squads starting this year, teams like Pampanga Delta are taking advantage.

These two came out of their local qualifying tournaments to earn a spot in the National Finals, just like these teams: Team Tarlac (Central Luzon), University of Luzon (Baguio), Philippine Christian University-Dasmarinas (Cavite), Holy Trinity College-General Santos (Kidapawan), Saint Benilde International School-Calamba (Laguna), Level Up Max Ballers Davao (Northern Mindanao), Batang Tiaong (Quezon), Don Bosco Dumaguete (Visayas), and Doc Boleros (Caloocan/Quezon City).

One more team will complete the provincial cast when the Batangas champion will be crowned in March.

These twelve teams will have the chance to become the best and potentially deny a third straight title for Nazareth School of National University.

Once the field is officially set, these 24 teams will first be classified as to which teams will be in Division 1 and 2, with each division subdivided into four groups of three teams. The top teams of each group will advance into the semifinals where the two champions eventually will be crowned on March 19.

The final day will also feature the final of the inaugural Girls Have Next competition powered by Fil-Nation Select, as well as the Under Armour All-Star Game and its accompanying side events.

Free shuttle rides available for Gilas-Lebanon ticketholders

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is encouraging fans to be make themselves prevalent for today's 6pm FIBA World Cup Qualifying matchup against Lebanon.

With the match taking place at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, the federation has arranged for free shuttle rides emanating from SM Grand Central at Caloocan as well as SM North EDSA in Quezon City.

Shuttle rides start at 2pm on a first-come, first-served basis.

Those who took advantage of the ride to the arena can also use it to head back to their origin.

If unable to make it to the venue, fans can still watch the game through Cignal's platforms, as well as SMART LiveStream.