Top basketball stories in 2018

MANILA, Philippines — As usual, basketball was the talk of the town among Filipino sports fans in 2018. It’s often said that all over the world, basketball is the No. 1 sport only in the Philippines and Lithuania. In 2014, FIBA formalized the recognition by bestowing on the Philippines the Most Valuable Fans award.

Here are the top 10 basketball stories in the country for 2018.

Gilas falters in FIBA World Cup Qualifiers. The Philippines started the six-window FIBA Asia/Pacific World Cup Qualifiers on a high note, scoring back-to-back wins over Japan and Chinese-Taipei in November 2017. But over four windows last year, Gilas has managed only a 3-5 record to slide to fourth place in Group F of the second round of competitions. One of the losses was an 89-53 abbreviated setback to Australia at the Philippine Arena last July 2. The game was marred by a brawl that led to the suspension of 10 Filipino players. In the fifth window, the Philippines dropped two home games to Kazakhstan, 92-88 and Iran, 78-70, making the last two games against Qatar and Kazakhstan in the Qualifiers a must-win on the road. During the year, Yeng Guiao took over from Chot Reyes as national coach. Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle, both Fil-foreigners, took turns representing the country as naturalized players in Andray Blatche’s place in the fourth and fifth windows.

PBA chairman is POC president. In a landmark vote, PBA chairman Ricky Vargas was elected POC president last February. A few months before, Vargas’ term as PBA chairman was extended for another year in recognition of his “healing” leadership with the pro league transitioning from a fractious Board. Vargas remains the PBA chairman on a concurrent basis. Commissioner Willie Marcial, meanwhile, completed his first season at the helm with flying colors. He has embarked on a serious campaign to bring the league closer to the fans and players are responding positively to his initiatives.

Clarkson’s emergence. SBP chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan moved mountains in gaining FIBA and NBA clearance for Fil-Am Jordan Clarkson to mark his debut with the Philippine team at the Asian Games in Jakarta last Aug. 14-Sept. 1. The Cleveland Cavaliers guard averaged 26 points in four games, leading the Philippines to fifth place in the competition. In his first appearance, Clarkson fired 28 points as the Philippines nearly upset China in losing an 82-80 decision. Unfortunately, FIBA has classified Clarkson as a naturalized player because he received his Philippine passport after turning 16 but SBP president Al Panlilio intends to appeal for reconsideration. After all, there is no questioning Clarkson’s Filipino heritage.

Ateneo, San Beda, NU dominate collegiate leagues. The Blue Eagles, Red Lions and Lady Bulldogs were the toast of the collegiate circuit last year. Ateneo won its second straight UAAP men’s title with coach Tab Baldwin while San Beda swept to its third NCAA men’s crown in a row, the last two with coach Boyet Fernandez. Neither team encountered a bump in the Finals where they blanked their opponents. In the UAAP ladies’ department, NU streaked to its fifth straight 16-0 season, handing coach Pat Aquino an incredible run of 80 consecutive wins. In the third UCBL (Universities and Colleges Basketball League) campaign, owner Nikki Coseteng’s Diliman College beat Olivarez, 2-1, in the Finals for coach Rensy Bajar’s Blue Dragons’ first championship.

Perez first overall pick in PBA draft. There were 41 rookie hopefuls named in the PBA draft last month. It was the first-ever draft held during a season as the Governors Cup Finals were still in progress. Lyceum’s C. J. Perez was chosen first overall and NU’s Ray-Ray Parks came next. The draft went through five rounds before a mammoth crowd at the Robinsons Place Manila. NLEX’ first round picks Paul Desiderio and Abu Tratter were later traded to Blackwater for Poy Erram.

To be continued