Alvin Pasaol Bids Goodbye to PBA, Set to Join Pampanga Lanterns in MPBL

 

DAVAO CITY — The PBA journey of Dona Salud, Sasa native Alvin Pasaol has officially come to an end.

The Meralco Bolts have opted not to renew Pasaol’s contract, effectively closing the chapter of his professional stint in the Philippine Basketball Association. The decision paves the way for the former UE Warriors star to continue his basketball career elsewhere.

According to reports, Pasaol has signed a deal with the Pampanga Lanterns in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), marking a fresh start for the Davaoeño sharpshooter in one of the country’s fastest-growing regional basketball leagues.

Pasaol rose to national prominence during his collegiate years with the University of the East (UE) Warriors in the UAAP, where he was known for his explosive scoring and physical play. His standout performance eventually led to his selection in the PBA Draft, where he was picked up by the Meralco Bolts.

Though his time in the PBA was brief, Pasaol remains a respected figure in Philippine basketball, admired for his gritty playing style and down-to-earth persona.

Now heading to the MPBL, fans are eager to see Pasaol bring his veteran presence and scoring prowess to the Pampanga squad, as he looks to revive his career and make a strong impact in the regional league.(Bob Braceros)

Barangay Ginebra stars supports HCCC Basketball Alumni Cup 2022

 

DAVAO CITY---The ongoing Holy Cross College of Calinan Basketball Alumni Cup 2022 made another first in the history of the annual basketball league among HCCC high school graduates to reach the consciousness of certified PBA stars, particularly from the ageless PBA crowd favorite Barangay Ginebra.

Some of the current stars of Barangay Ginebra have sent video messages offering support to the basketball league and praised HCCC batch 95, the organizer of this year's tournament, for spearheading it for 2022.

You can view all their video messages by visiting the official Facebook page of the league at https://www.facebook.com/HCCC-Alumni-Homecoming-2022-102918865738027.

Among the Barangay Ginebra stars who offered support and congratulations to the league are LA Tenorio, former star point-guard of Ateneo de Manila University in the UAAP,  Christian Karl Standhardinger, a half-German-Filipino who played in the NCAA in the United States and the basketball leagues in Germany before landing in the PBA, Japhet Aguilar, the 6'9 versatile center from Pampanga who once made it to the summer league team of reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors, Nard John Pinto, a native of Magsaysay, Davao del Sur and former spunky point-guard of Arellano University Chiefs, and current PBA MVP Scottie Thompson, a former Agro Sailor high school varsity player from Digos City, Davao del Sur.

In a nine-second video message, Thompson wished the league the best of luck and more power to the league.

Tenorio wishes the league all the best of luck in a seven-second video message.

Standhardinger, for his part, wished the league all the best and hoped all participants would have fun.

Aguilar also wished the league the best and hoped God would bless the league more.

Lastly, Pinto wished the league the best of luck and vowed to return that he would attend the championship soon.

As the world has become smaller with the advancement of technology, the league this year has also made many first to make the league more popular and exciting.

Since the league was started, it is only this year that it has had a weekly video replay of all the games so that HCCC graduates of all ages will not scratch their heads looking only at the scores since they will be given a little snapshot of what happened on the games, it is also this year that comprehensive weekly coverage of the games are published online so the people from all walks of life can read it anytime and anywhere as long as there is an internet in their place. 

Also, these news articles published at https://latestdvonews.blogspot.com/ is part of google history which means all future generations can read them if they wish to know in detail what happened in the HCCC Basketball Alumni Cup 2022.

With a forward-looking mindset, HCCC Batch 1995 is willing to replicate the usual sports coverages you see on a smaller scale because that is what should happen; it's time to end the usual route of organizing a basketball league with only a few people knowing it and without proper documentation and publicity. (Romeo Braceros Jr.)

Mindanao's top PBA stars are set to grace the opening of the HCCC Basketball Alumni Cup 2022!

 

Two of the PBA fast-rising stars who trace their roots in region 11 are set to grace the opening of the Holy Cross College of Calinan Alumni Basketball Cup 2022 at the Calinan gymnasium on Sunday around 9 in the morning (May 15).

Barangay Ginebra starting off-guard, and Digos City, Davao del Sur native Scottie Thompson is one of the guests in the biggest basketball tournament among HCCC high school batches in terms of participants and prizes.

Thompson, the most valuable player in the recent PBA All Filipino Cup finals and the best player of the conference in the same conference, is set to inspire the participating HCCC batches in a simple opening program hosted by HCCC Batch 1995.

Aside from Thompson, his Ginebra teammate and Magsaysay, Davao del Sur Sur native Nards Pinto is also expected to join the opening festivity on Sunday.

If you happen to be a high school graduate of HCCC and are free on Sunday, attending the opening ceremony at the Calinan gymnasium is a no-brainer move.

Aside from pride and camaraderie, the tournament offers a P20,000 cash prize to the champion plus a trophy, P15,000 plus a trophy to the runner-up, and P10,000 plus a trophy to the third placers. (Romeo Braceros Jr.)

CDO cager Rey Nambatac inks 3-year maximum contract extension with Rain or Shine Elasto Painters

DAVAO CITY---The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters has signed to a new maximum three-year-deal young guard Rey "Sting Ray" Nambatac after his previous contract ended.

The new lucrative deal will give Nambatac  P420,000 a month from the Elastopainters.

Nambatac, drafted by the Elastopainters in 2017, averaged 11.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in the 2021 Philippine Cup, second in scoring behind Javee Mocon.

The Elasto Painters decided to give the former Letran star a new contract because he is not afraid to take the big shots for the team over the years. 

Nambatac is very happy with his new deal and he vowed to do his best to repay the trust of his team.

Sources said one reason why the Elasto Painters decided to give Nambatac a maximum deal is that they are afraid he might be lured to play in the Japanese basketball league, which has become a trend among pro and amateur basketball players late. (Romeo Braceros Jr.)

Davao boys ready to roll for Meralco Bolts in the 2021 PBA season

 

Leon Garcia, Agdao Merlaco Bolts forward Michael Mirafuentes Cañete.Photo: Michael Mirafuentes Cañete FB account.

DAVAO CITY –-- Two professional basketball players who trace their roots here have made it to the 16-man training pool roster of the Meralco Bolts for the 2021 PBA season.

Leon Garcia, Agdao forward Michael Mirafuentes Cañete and Dona Salud, Sasa guard Alvin Pasaol are part of the training pool roster of the Bolts who are set to do their close-circuit training in Ilocos Norte soon.

Cañete was given a one-year contract extension by the team for the PBA 2021 season this year.

The Davaoeonoc cager who is set to finally make his Bolts debut this year is very happy with the trust and confidence to have given to him by the team despite his failure to suit up for them last year.

“Once you choose God everything is possible. God’s timing is the best,” Canete said in his Facebook post.

Earlier, Bolts coach American Normal Black told the media that Canete will finally make his debut for the team in the PBA 2021 season.

Black said he is excited for the PBA entry of Canete since the latter is a big man who can help the team in rebounding and defense.

The American coach said Canate is a huge boost for their frontline especially for starting center Raymond Almazan.

Although already signed as a Bolts player, Canete was not able to play for the team in the recent PBA Bubble in Clark, Pampanga won by Barangay Ginebra since Black decided to field only a veteran roster in the All Filipino Cup conference.

Canete, a former varsity player of the St. John Paul II College of Davao Saints and Arellano University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) officially signed his PBA rookie contract to play for the Bolts last March 10, 2020.

However, he was not able to play immediately for the Bolts due to his commitment to the Bacoor City Strikers in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

When the Strikers got ousted in the MPBl playoffs his desire to finally play for the Bolts did not materialize due to the suspension of the PBA due to COVID-19.

Since he was late to join the team, Black also decided not to include him in the team’s roster for the PBA Bubble tournament in the last quarter of 2020

Before signing the contract, Cañete was selected by the Bolts in the third round of the 2019 PBA Draft.

Pasaol for his part signed a two-year contract with the Bolts last March 25.

The Bolts earlier picked the 6’2 banger as the ninth overall pick in the 2021 PBA rookie draft last March 14.

Pasaol, a prolific scorer and former member of the 3×3 Chooks to Go Philippine team is set to add scoring and defense for the Bolts in the 2021 PBA season.

A former player of the University of East Red Warriors in the UAAP, Pasaol previously played for Zamboanga in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.

Before making it big in Metro Manila, Pasaol played briefly in some local leagues in Davao City where he was scouted while playing in one of the commercial teams here. (Romeo Braceros Jr.)

Fast-rising Mindanaoan PBA stars find inspiration in Simon and Baguio

 

DAVAO CITY---THREE fast-rising PBA stars from Mindanao are all inspired by the successful professional basketball career of fellow Mindanaoan Peter June Simon of Makilala , North Cotabato, and Cyrus Baguio of Iligan City, Lanao del Norte.

Barangay Ginebra star guard Scottie Thompson, of Digos City, Davao del Sur, Meralco Bolt's star point-guard Baser Amer of Barangay Maa, Davao City, and Magnolia Hotshots star point-guard Jio Jalalon of Cagayan de Oro City are all inspired by the successful PBA career of Simon and Baguio.

Thompson said growing up they idolized both Simon and Baguio.

Amer and Jalalon for their part also echoed the same sentiment saying Simon and Baguio inspired them to play better.

Both Simon and Baguio are at the twilight of their PBA careers and set to retire from professional basketball play soon.

Bong Go to Calvin Abueva: Play clean and avoid dirty tricks

 

Photo: Manila Bulletin

DAVAO CITY---DAVAOENO senator Bong Go has expressed joy and support to the looming PBA return of Calvin Abueva.

In the Senate hearing for the budget of the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) last October 6, Go support the return of Abueva to the PBA but reminded the latter to play clean and avoid dirty trick on the hardcourt.

"Paki-paalala lang po sa kanya na tayo’y maglaro ng basketball at sport lang, walang sakitan. ‘Wag siya mamikon at sisirain niya lang ‘yung laro ng mga kalaban,” Go said. 

Go said he is a fan of Abueva due to his explosive plays and hope the latter already learned his lesson from his PBA suspension and will now play clean on the court.

Abueva was earlier suspended by the PBA for playing dirty on the court.

The senator is a big fan of sports especially basketball, he also plays occasional basketball if his time permits.(Romeo Braceros Jr.)

Davao boys targets PBA crown for Meralco Bolts

Unknown to many two Davaoenos are set to play crucial roles for the Meralco Bolts when the Philippine Basketball Association games resume after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Don Julian Barangay Maa resident Baser Amer will once again takes the role as starting point-guard for the Bolts when the PBA All Filipino conference resumes after the COVID-19 crisis.

Amer, a former player of Holy Child College of Davao in high school before playing in Metro Manila for San Beda College is considered as one of the top young point-guard in the oldest professional basketball league in Asia.

Joining Amer in the roster of the Bolts this year is Michael Mirafuentes Cañete, a resident of Leon Garcia, Agdao.

Last March 10, Canete, a former varsity player of the St. John Paul II College of Davao Saints and Arellano University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) officially signed his PBA contract to play for the Bolts.

The Davaoeño, who recently played for the Bacoor City Strikers in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), expressed joy over his PBA signing saying it is a dream come for him.

"Unang una po I thank God sa lahat ng achievements ko sa buhay ko yung feeling mo pinapanood mo lang sila sa TV ngayon kasama at teammates mo na sila," Cañete said.

Cañete also took time to thank his family, former teammates, and coaches for helping him get to this level.

Before signing the contract, Cañete was selected by the Bolts in the third round of the recent PBA Draft.(Romeo Braceros Jr.)