International Basketball University Phl launched

The International Basketball University is now in the Philippines. Headquartered in Kaunas, Lithuania, the IBU is one of the leading basketball learning institutions in the world. Most of its instructors have vast experience in playing, coaching or teaching international basketball, including many of the most recognizable names in Olympic and FIBA basketball. Many have earned doctorates and PhDs in education, sports, or basketball. Lithuania, a country of only 2.5 million people, is ranked 10th in the world in the latest FIBA men’s basketball rankings. They defeated Team USA in the FIBA World Cup two weeks ago.

Right before the gold-medal game of the recently-concluded FIBA World Cup, IBU Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mindaugas Bal?i?nas signed an agreement authorizing the group of Raymon Mercader, Glenmarc Antonio and this writer to expand the IBU’s programs in the country.

This writer has been an international basketball event organizer since launching the country’s first nationwide 3X3 tournament in 1996, also staging the first NBA 3-on-3 event in Southeast Asia in 2011, among others. Four years ago Mercader, a basketball coach from Bukidnon, flew to Lithuania at his own expense to become the first Filipino to complete important coaching courses and be recognized by the school itself. Antonio, meanwhile, is an accomplished marketing and communications professional who has worked with multinational corporations in the country, has organized sports events, and is an avid basketball fan and collector.

“We are very excited for what can be done in the Philippines,” said Bal?i?nas, who is also the secretary-general of the Lithuanian Basketball Federation. “There is so much passion for the game. There is so much potential in basketball here, and we hope to be able to help through learning.”

IBU Philippines plans to conduct two clinics a year with senior coaches and speakers from the head office and national federation in Lithuania, and fly in Lithuanian teams for a series of goodwill games, both full-court and 3X3.

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Retired national fencers have made a strong comeback in international combat competitions. The 2023 Einherjar Cup mixed weapon tournament was held in Hong Kong last weekend with six participating countries. At the event, members of The Forge Pioneer, a club that teaches Historical Fencing and Modern Olympic Fencing in the Philippines, vied for medals. Fifty-one-year-old Vier Tajonera, who runs the club, led the charge. The 1993 SEA Games gold medalist fencer claimed the silver medal in the Mixed Weapons Category, which had 22 entries. Tajonera also earned the silver in the Two-Handed Weapons Category against 23 other combatants, most of whom were half his age. Meanwhile, 49-year-old RG Cabredo, the 2015 Asian Veterans Fencing Tournament bronze medalist, placed 11th out of 22 entries in the Mixed Weapons Category, and 14th of 24 in the Two-Handed Weapons Category.