ARRIVING at the 12 players to make up the additions for the national men’s basketball team pool was no easy task but the people behind the Gilas Pilipinas program managed to do so following a lot of consultations among the coaching staff. This was shared by returning coach Chot Reyes as they revealed the names of the add-ons to the group that will banner the country’s cause in international competitions.

A PAIR of La Salle stars and three of the NCAA’s best players comprise the Mighty Sports Collegiate Mythical Five that will be awarded on Jan. 26 in the Collegiate Basketball Awards at the Montgomery Place Social Hall in E. Rodriguez Ave., Quezon City.

The duo of Ben Mbala and Jeron Teng, who joined hands in leading La Salle to the UAAP championship last month, lead this year’s batch alongside Mapua’s Allwell Oraeme, San Beda’s Javee Mocon and Arellano University’s Jio Jalalon.

THE University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons will have two foreign players practicing with them when they prepare for the coming 80th season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.

Fighting Maroons’ coach Bo Perasol said this after members of the alumni managed to convince former University of Perperual Help big man Bright Akhuetie to come aboard and join the squad.

These two teams are making a habit of playing memorable games. After late three point shots from C.J. McCollum forced both overtime and then a second overtime, it was a three point shot from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope that had the final word.

The Knights of Columbus (Kof C) of the Don Bosco Council 10277 - Our Lady of Good Council Church Surrey BC celebrated Christmas in an exciting and enjoyable way – by playing basketball.

Introduced recently as the man taking the head-coaching duties for CSB’s men’s basketball team next season at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Mr. Tang, now 32, said it is a “natural progression” for him to now be a coach following a noted career in high school all the way to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) playing the point guard position.

“I didn’t really close my doors on coaching and I wanted to try it at one point. I think it’s natural for me. Being a champion and competitive athlete as I am, I wanted to share that kind of mind-set and passion with others,” said Mr. Tang in an intimate gathering with a small group of media at the CSB compound last week.

IN ONLY his first year in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), coach Aldin Ayo did not waste time making a name for himself, leading the De La Salle Green Archers to another UAAP men’s basketball title.

Sweeping archrivals Ateneo Blue Eagles in their best-of-three finals series, Mr. Ayo and the Archers notched the school’s first seniors hoops crown since 2013 and its ninth overall for solo fourth place all time.

The feat, incidentally, was in follow-up to the championship Mr. Ayo won last year while coaching the Letran Knights over at the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Aaron Black, son of one of the greatest coaches in the history of Philippine basketball, figured in a controversial play in Game 1 of the highly anticipated UAAP basketball championship.

 VANCOUVER, CANADA-   One of the Filipinos’ favorite sports is basketball. And Filipinos in Canada are no different.

                In the recently concluded ICSA Filipino Basketball League in Vancouver, the Sto. Nino team successfully defended their title against Ron’s team 47-40, cementing their legacy as one of the most successful Filipino basketball teams in Vancouver.

“It is a satisfying victory,” said team manager and coach Michael Castro.

Fiercest rivals Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University battle it out in the basketball court for the UAAP Men’s Basketball Championship Season 79 starting Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.