No James but B-Meg still alive

The word is two-time MVP James Yap won’t suit up for B-Meg against San Miguel Beer in a critical PBA Commissioner’s Cup game at the Araneta Coliseum tonight but coach Jorge Gallent hopes new import Courtney Beasley of the University of Southern Mississippi turns out to be as efficient as advertised.

Beasley, who is celebrating his 26th birthday today, flew in last Friday to try out with the Derby Ace Llamados but got the job outright when Shamari Spears asked to be released. Spears went back to the US yesterday. Beasley will be B-Meg’s third import this conference after Rob Brown and Spears.

“We asked Shamari to stick around because he could still play with us if Courtney didn’t turn out okay,” said B-Meg assistant coach Richard del Rosario. “But he really missed his family. It was his first trip overseas. Courtney arrived early morning all the way from Huntsville, Alabama, and practiced that same day. He’s a lefty. He stands less than 6-2, like James’ height, but he’s built solid. I think he’s a better rebounder than Shamari. He has good range on his shot and drives hard to the basket. He can post up. He can play multiple positions. His agent (Stefano Lips) is the same as Nate Brumfield’s.”

Lips, a Swiss-Italian, signs up close to 50 contracts a year and represents over 30 players. Among his talents are former PBA imports Terrence Bailey and Pat Durham.

Del Rosario said if Beasley works out, he could be retained as B-Meg’s import in the Governors Cup whether the Llamados play a 6-2 or 6-4 import, depending on their standing. In the third conference, the top four seeded teams (based on a weighted performance average of 60 percent from the Philippine Cup and 40 percent from the Commissioner’s Cup) will be allowed to recruit an import with a height limit of 6-2. The next four will be permitted to play an import up to 6-4 and the last two, up to 6-6.

Beasley saw action in four years at Southern Mississippi, the school that produced pro cagers Clarence (Baby Barkley) Weatherspoon, Wendell Ladner (who played with Julius Erving in the ABA), Joe Courtney, Randolph Keys and Kelly McCarty (a naturalized player with the Russian national team). As a senior in 2008-09, Beasley averaged 14.9 points and 7.1 rebounds, shooting .385 from triple distance. 

B-Meg has two more games left in its schedule – San Miguel tonight and Talk ‘N’ Text on Friday. With a 3-4 record, the Llamados might just make it to the next round and avoid an early unwanted vacation. The bottom four teams will be struck out at the end of the single round eliminations.

Del Rosario said King James will sit out tonight’s game and rest his strained calf muscle, a source of nagging pain. Rico Maierhofer, recovering from an ACL tear, is sidelined until next season. Jonas Villanueva, Jondan Salvador and Don Allado have been in and out of the active roster with injuries.

 Yap has missed B-Meg’s last two games and was in civvies when the Llamados upset Smart Gilas, 98-90, in overtime last Wednesday.

“We got back Kerby (Raymundo) but we lost Rico then we had other players go down,” sighed Del Rosario. “But we’re not giving up. We’ve got some players like Jonas and Don back practicing. Our goal is to make it to the playoffs.”

* * * *

The Almendras Gym in Davao City was packed to the rafters as Powerade’s “B” squad beat the Davao Hall of Fame All-Stars, 117-105, in the main event of a triplebill celebrating “Araw Ng Dabaw” last March 11. Judge Jimmy Quitain, chairman of the Davao Sports Hall of Fame, said the fans were treated to an exciting contest where the players displayed their best form.

Powerade’s roster listed Gerard Francisco, Kenneth Duremdes, Cesar Catli, Neil Caceres, Eddie Laure, Ronjay Enrile, Rodney Santos, Dale Singson and Jason Misolas. The Hall of Famers showed up with ex-pros Dindo Pastor, Cadel Mosqueda, Jomer Rubi, Alvin Teng and Teroy Albarillo.

Francisco fired 26 points to fuel Powerade’s surge. Santos added 18, Laure 17, Duremdes 14, Caceres 13 and Enrile 11. For the All-Stars, former Cebu Gem Mike Maniego hit 25 and Teng chipped in 15. 

In the other games, the Davao Legends nipped the University of Mindanao Legends, 83-81, and the Davao Collegiate All-Stars defeated Sanman, 105-101. Nick Serafica tossed in 17 points for the Davao Legends while Edwin Josol scored 19 for UM. Miguel Pacheco erupted for 26 points for the Davao Collegiate All-Stars. Sanman was led by Gonzaga and Berami who combined for 67 points.

In Panabo City two days later, Powerade “B” repeated over the Davao Hall of Fame All-Stars, 103-81, with PBA governor J. B. Baylon flying in from Manila to witness the game. Enrile shot 24 and Catli 20 to pace the Tigers. Maniego tallied 19 and Teng 16 for the All-Stars.

* * * *

Please check out “The Dean’s Corner,” the latest web-page on philstar.com. It contains exclusive visual interviews with PBA commissioner Chito Salud, Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman and sports patron Jean Henri Lhuillier and a rundown of sports stories and articles published in The STAR. There’s also a section with pictures of headline personalities such as Freddie Roach, Bob Arum, Neil Etheridge, Phil Younghusband, Ana Julaton and Erik Spoelstra. If you haven’t guessed by now, the web-page is my own, created by philstar.com. If you want to know more about me, there’s also a profile of my career. I invite everyone to share views, comments and opinions on the web-page and on my facebook (type in Joaquin Henson and I’ll confirm you as a friend). It’s a fun and easy way to connect.