PBA rues cancellation of RP-Capitanes series

Playing the Puerto Rican club champion Capitanes de Arecibo would’ve been the perfect opportunity for coach Yeng Guiao to prepare the national team for the SEABA Championships on April 2-6 but it’s useless crying over spilled milk.

A PBA spokesman said the other day Guiao was under the impression the series with Capitanes was a done deal – which is why the pro league turned down a chance to play some friendlies in Qatar. It was a case of miscommunication and nobody is really to blame. Surely, the SBP – which was contacted by Capitanes to organize the series – can’t be blamed for the cancellation.

The SBP, in fact, sent an e-mail to the PBA outlining the schedule of the Capitanes visit which pegged two games against Guiao’s team on Feb. 21 and 24 and two games against coach Rajko Toroman’s developmental squad on Feb. 22 and 25. The same e-mail mentioned a request for the PBA to sponsor an official dinner on Feb. 23 and TV spots for SBP’s sponsors in the coverage of the games against Guiao’s team. It seemed like all systems go.

However, there was a note of uncertainty in the e-mail as the sender, the SBP’s Jen Hernandez, wrote, “Sir Noli (Eala) will be able to finalize details of this with Capitanes (de) Arecibo in a couple of days.” As it turned out, the deal went sour after the Capitanes asked to be paid for their plane tickets. In the initial discussions with Eala as SBP executive director, the Capitanes said they would take care of their air fare.

When the SBP refused to be held hostage, the series went out the window and the PBA was left without a tune-up series.

Some quarters are trying to impute malice in the botched series since the SBP is directly involved with another national team, not Guiao’s, the SBP is locking in collegiate stars for two or three years, taking them out of the PBA draft pool, and there is unpleasant history between Eala and the PBA. What must be pointed out is the cancellation of the series didn’t only disrupt the training of Guiao’s squad but also Toroman’s although there is more urgency to prepare the PBA All-Stars because of the proximity of the SEABA Championships.

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The Metro Manila tryouts for the Careline-Philippine women’s junior and youth teams began at the Xavier School Sports Center in San Juan yesterday. Another round of tryouts is set this morning starting at 8.

“We’re hoping to gather and train the best available talents for future international tournaments,” said women’s youth godfather Dioceldo Sy, chairman of Ever Bilena cosmetics. “This is the first of a series of tryouts for the women’s youth team.”

After the Metro Manila leg, Sy said the coaching staff made up of Pat Aquino, Paul Du and Julie Vega will go to Dagupan, Cebu and Davao to conduct similar tryouts.

Only players born in 1992 and 1993 are eligible for the 16-under team that Sy is assembling to compete in the first FIBA-Asia championships for junior women on Oct. 21-29.

“We believe in the SBP’s vision that for the country to become No. 1 in both the men’s and women’s divisions, we should maintain an elite and grassroots program for the women’s youth sector,” said Sy, a former PBL chairman. “That is the commitment of Careline to the SBP and our country.”

Sy, whose Ever Bilena team has won three straight WPBL titles, said his support for the country’s under-16 squad is “my own small way of giving back.” He called it a “huge challenge” and vowed “to do our best to get the championship.”

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Alaska coach Tim Cone has confirmed that Rosell Ellis will definitely play for the Aces in the coming PBA Fiesta Conference – after he finishes the Australian league season with the Townsville Crocodiles. A possible interim import is Washington State’s Jeff Varem, a Nigerian who played eight games, averaging 21.4 points, for Coca-Cola in the 2006-07 Fiesta Conference.

“Ro is definitely coming but he has to finish the Aussie playoffs first,” said Cone. “We’re still keeping our fingers crossed that he’ll finish before our first game on March 4. If we’re sure he won’t, then we’ll get someone temporarily.”

As for losing in the recent Philippine Cup finals that went the distance, Cone said, “it was a tough series but all the credit goes to Chot (Reyes) and his coaching.” How the modest Cone managed to race to a 2-0 series lead and almost won the title in the last few seconds of Game 7 despite Talk ‘N’ Text’s deep lineup was a tribute to his coaching prowess.

Ellis, who turned 34 last Thursday, is playing for Townsville against South Dragons in the Australian league semifinals next week. Early this month, he was fined $750 for his role in a brawl during a Townsville game then was arrested in a nightclub altercation for which a court hearing was set.

Former La Salle varsity cager Rey Bautista is back in circulation and those who enjoy good food are rejoicing. Bautista was one of the founders of the famed Kamayan chain of restaurants and became a culinary icon with his own Tito Rey’s, a popular eatery for years.

Last Jan. 20, Bautista officially returned to the restaurant business with 7th Note at the Makati Golf Club, Malugay Street, Makati. He has teamed up with 7th Note to open Tito Rey’s Meat Kitchen.

“It’ll be Tito Rey’s Meat Kitchen for the cuisine and great entertainment as 7th Note,” announced Bautista who was active in sports during his high school and college days at La Salle, playing basketball, football, volleyball, softball and track.

The Makati Golf Club welcomes guests to a driving range, gym and spa. Now that Bautista has taken charge of Tito Rey’s Meat Kitchen, the club expects business to be even brisker.

Last Valentine’s Day, Tito Rey’s Meat Kitchen was packed with diners enjoying the special “Hearts on Fire” menu which Bautista described as “sizzling hot, succulently spicy and passionately sweet.”

 Bautista is inviting everyone to try out his latest menu. “It’s value for money and there’s free parking, too,” said Bautista, the ultimate salesman. For details, call Tel. No. 840-5731.