RenRen erupts for TNT

RenRen Ritualo saved his best for last as he erupted for 31 points and knocked down six triples in Talk ‘N’ Text’s final game at the Southern California Pro Basketball Summer League in Long Beach recently.

Phone Pals coach Derick Pumaren, texting from the US, said the outcome wasn’t settled until the last two minutes when the Los Angeles All-Stars broke away. Talk ‘N’ Text ended its campaign with a 1-4 record.

A surprise addition to the All-Stars lineup was Sta. Lucia Realty’s Alex Cabagnot. His teammates included 6-2 Marcus Carr, 6-10 Adema Ndiaye, 6-6 Tyler Murphy and 6-2 Jan-Michael Thomas who averaged 20.5 points and hit 138 triples at San Joaquin Delta junior college in 1997-98.

The Phone Pals’ only win was an 88-86 overtime decision over the Hoopstars. Jimmy Alapag scored 20 points to lead Talk ‘N’ Text. Asi Taulava compiled 15 points and 10 rebounds.

In another game, Phone Pals power forward Harvey Carey fired 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds but his efforts weren’t enough to repulse Hoosier Daddy. Carey shot 12-of-18 from the floor.

Hoosier Daddy leaned on former Red Bull import Jack Hartman’s 25 points to win, 109-93. Daddy’s biggest lead was 20. Talk ‘N’ Text never took the driver’s seat.

Aside from Carey, three other Phone Pals scored in twin digits. Alapag netted 18 to go with seven assists, Taulava collected 14 points and 11 rebounds and Ritualo tallied 10, including 2-of-6 treys.

The Phone Pals launched a furious rally in the third period, trimming an 11-point halftime deficit to five entering the fourth period. But Daddy iced it with a 34-point explosion in the final 12 minutes.

Hartman’s teammates included 6-2 Donnell Williams of Fayetville, 6-8 Rick Anderson of Arizona, 6-10 Matt Garrison, 6-7 Rodney Webb of Florida Atlantic and 6-2 Marcus Williams of Notre Dame.

Pumaren took only 10 players to Long Beach. His lineup listed Alapag, Taulava, Carey, Ritualo, Don Allado, Jay Washington, MacMac Cardona, Victor Pablo, Donbel Belano and Patrick Fran.

The Phone Pals are now training at the International Management Group camp in Carson City, near Los Angeles. The two-week course involves learning from top-rated US coaches and players.

The team returns to Manila on Aug. 9.

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Former Olympic cager Ponciano (Pons) Saldana succumbed to a heart attack in a Makati hotel room last July 21.

Saldana, 76, lived in Iloilo and operated a resort in Guimaras. He was a long-time manager of Philippine Airlines (PAL) in Iloilo.

Saldana played on the celebrated Philippine team that took third place at the World Basketball Championships in Rio de Janeiro in 1954. In his best game of the tournament, he scored 20 points as the Philippines crushed Israel, 90-56. His teammates were Lauro Mumar, Francisco Rabat, Nap Flores, Mariano Tolentino, Benjamin Fulgencio, Rafael Barreto, Florentino Bautista, Ramon Manulat, Bayani Amador, Tony Genato and Caloy Loyzaga.

According to sports historian Col. Julian Malonso, Saldana played four years for San Beda’s senior varsity team under coach Arturo Rius and later, Fely Fajardo. In 1950, Saldana sparked the Lions’ upset of Letran and snapped the Knights’ unbeaten streak. Letran, led by Mumar, was known as Murder, Inc. The Knights, however, avenged the loss in the championship game and beat San Beda.

After graduating, Saldana saw action for PAL in the MICAA. He wore the national colors at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and the 1954 Asian Games in Manila.

Malonso said Saldana came to Manila for a check-up. His remains were cremated before the ashes were brought to Iloilo for interment.

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Cebu businessman and ALA Gym owner Tony Aldeguer sent this text, reacting to The STAR’s recent story on hot boxing prospect A. J. Banal:

"Your article has stirred a text barrage suggesting monikers for Banal. Same is happening in the forum of the philboxing website. Your article really did wonders for the ‘Boy Wonder.’"

National coach Chot Reyes shared a text he received from Ali Peek after the Philippines came home, battered and bruised, from the Jones Cup in Taipei:

Reyes said, "I guess this summarizes how the players feel in spite of the results (3-6 record)–(from Peek) Hey coach, I just want to say thanks for this opportunity. Wish we could’ve won more but nonetheless, it was awesome."

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