Two-time Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Most Valuable Player (MVP) James Yap will beg off from joining the Smart-Gilas national developmental team in the Asian Games.

That's because B-Meg Derby Ace will have a depleted lineup at the start of the league's 36th season on October 3.

Defending Philippine Cup champion Derby Ace's title retention bid is in peril as the Llamados will miss the services of main frontliners Kerby Raymundo and Marc Pingris, who will undergo surgeries in the United States anytime soon.

"I told Mr. (Rene) Pardo that it will be really difficult for us if we will allow James to play for Smart-Gilas in the Asian Games. We will already miss our two frontliners, so it will be a tough task for us to defend the crown," said Llamados coach Jorge Gallent.

"Right now, we only have two big men in our team, Raffi Reavis and Jondan Salvador as Don Allado has yet to sign a contract because he’s in the United States while Romel Adducul's status remains up in the air because the team wants to have younger guys," he added.

Yap is also vacationing in the United States and will most likely join the team's first full practice session two weeks from now.

The 6-foot-2, reigning MVP, is one of those being requested by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to join the national developmental team to the Guangzhou Asian Games along with two other former PBA MVPs, Asi Taulava and Kelly Williams.

Taulava was already given the green light by his mother team, Powerade, while Williams, whose team Talk 'N Text is a sister company of Smart Communications, will most likely be allowed by his PBA ball club as well.

Still, SBP's plan to reinforce the Rajko Toroman-mentored all-amateur national developmental squad with three professional players will need the PBA board's approval.

Aside from being hard pressed to help his decimated squad, Yap is not keen on joining the national team aspirants as he will also attend to some personal issues.

A close associate of Yap, who requested anonymity, said the cager is mandated to attend hearings on his marital problems with estranged wife, popular movie and television personality Kris Aquino, who is the youngest sister of President Noynoy Aquino.

Gallent also said that Jonas Villanueva will join the squad next week and attend the September 9 practice.

"We've talked on the phone," said Gallent. "He's still in the United States and he will arrive on September 8."

Villanueva joins Derby Ace via a three-way trade involving San Miguel Beer and Air21. The Beermen will get Paul Artadi while the Express will secure a future second-round pick from the Llamados.

The Express have yet to decide who to unload from a roster with excessive players. Among those players being considered include former Rookie of the Year winner Rich Alvarez and Wesley Gonzales, who are being used as trade baits, but might also be cut from the squad.

"We have yet to finalize the player who will be involved in that trade," said Air21 team manager Allan Gregorio. "We have yet to discuss that." - JVP, GMANews.TV

Mark Cardona, known for his offense, will have to learn to play tough defense under new coach Ryan Gregorio.

"Knowing coach Ryan, this team we'll be a defensive team. Although I'm still adjusting, I'm excited to start this new chapter in my career," Cardona said.

The 28-year-old Cardona left powerhouse Talk 'N Text to assume a new role as main man of the Meralco Bolts who bought the Sta. Lucia franchise.

"There's always pressure, 'di naman mawawala 'yun. But this is our job, to win games. So for me, I just have to work hard every practice, every game," said the six-foot-one off guard during a break in practice on Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Gregorio, who has two PBA titles under his belt, stressed the value of hard work on the first day of the Bolts' practice.

"We might not have the same talent level as the other teams," Gregorio said. "But from what I saw in the first few days of practice, we have a group of people who work hard. That for me is a big, big plus, knowing that hard work will always prevail over talent."

Defense remains Gregorio's calling card.

"We emphasize defense in our first couple of practice. They may be tired and exhausted. But this is part of the process," he added.

Known for his trademark tear-drop shot, Cardona averaged 16 points a game last year, an impressive number considering TNT's depth in talent.

A four-time All-Star, Cardona won the Best Player of the Conference (BPC) in the 2007 Fiesta Cup, and was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Finals when he powered the Tropang Texters to the Philippine Cup title last year.

Cardona reunited with former TNT teammates Pong Escobal and Yousif Aljamal, while joining former SLR players like veteran center Marlou Aquino, Nelbert Omolon, Ogie Menor, Gabby Espinas, Chris Pacana and Dennis Daa.

The team's other newcomers are Beau Belga (from Air21) and Chris Ross (from Coca-Cola), as well as rookies, Fil-Am Shawn Weinstein, Bam-Bam Gamalinda, Khazim Mirza and Claiford Arao. Gregorio said he was impressed with the rookies, as well as with the 6-foot-9 Marlou Aquino, who at 37 is the team's most senior member.

"I'm very happy with the rookies we got. The tag as rookies is only because this is their fi rst year, but they should not play like rookies," Gregorio said.

"As for Marlou, he's just pushing himself. I want to squeeze out whatever is left of him," Gregorio said of his 15-year veteran. - www.mb.com.ph

Nonoy Baclao and Rabeh Al-Hussaini are the top two picks in the recently-concluded PBA Rookie Draft.

But fellow newcomer players Elmer Espiritu of Alaska and Fil-foreign Josh Vanlandingham of Rain or Shine will be given the same maximum contract just like the two highly-touted rookies from Air21.

Espiritu, the No.4 overall pick, and Vanlandingham, the No.5 choice, will each receive P8.7-million for three years from their respective mother teams.

This was revealed by Charlie Dy, who manages both players, to GMANews.TV.

The 6-foot-4 Espiritu will join the newly-crowned Aces and fill the void left by Larry Fonacier, who was unloaded due to salary cap issues.

Fonacier was traded to the Talk N Text Tropang Texters for the rights on the No.4 pick overall.

The Aces used that pick to get Espiritu, a high-flying, former slam dunk champion in the UAAP.

Vanlandingham, on the other hand, made a good impression in his first two days in practice with the Elasto Painters.

Vanlandingham was signed up by the Elasto Painters along with Ryan Arana, Jeff Chan and Eddie Laure.

Arana and Chan were signed up for another three years while Laure was given a one-year extension.

Over at the Barangay Ginebra camp, Ronald Tubid was given a fresh one-year contract so as Paul Artadi and Jonathan Fernandez with B-Meg Derby Ace.

Meanwhile, Barako Bull has acquired the services of Marvin Cruz, who was released by Powerade. - Rey Joble, GMANews.TV

Showing their commitment to strengthen the squad weakened by trades last season, the Air21 Expresswasted little time in signing up their top three picks in the 2010 PBA Draft.



The Express signed top pick Nonoy Baclao and No. 2 choice Rabeh Al-Hussaini to maximum three-year deals worth P8.5 million each and third selection Rey Guevarra to a three-year contract worth P6 million Tuesday as they began rebuilding a franchise that won just 10 of its 36 games last season.

Cornerstones of the Ateneo squad that won back-to-back titles in the 2008 and 2009, the 6-foot-5 Baclao and 6-foot-7 Al-Hussaini will receive the rookie maximum of P150,000 on their first year, P225,000 on their sophomore season and P337,000 on the final year of the deal.

Guevarra, a former Letran standout, will get P120,000 on his first year, P150,000 on his sophomore season and P200,000 in the third year.

The three rookies joined the Express in practice at the Reyes Gym yesterday and Express skipper Wynne Arboleda liked what he saw.

"I think they will immediately make an impact in our team," said Arboleda.

Air21 team manager Allan Gregorio said the Express also plan to sign center Carlo Sharma, who is Al-Hussaini's half brother, to a one-year extension.

"Basically, we have the players we need to be competitive in the All-Filipino Cup," said Gregorio.

"We received offers for trades to our rookies but our chair, Bert Lina, is firm on the decision that we are not trading our top three picks. We need a new image. We need to prove Air 21 is here to stay. And make it the most competitive as we can be"

Gregorio sees the entry of Baclao, Al-Hussaini and Guevarra as a "second coming" to the time when the Express still had marquee players Ranidel and Yancy De Ocampo, Arwind Santos and KG Canaleta in 2005.

Baclao was picked ahead of Al-Hussaini, the consensus top pick, lighting the wick of a controversy that stole the spotlight during draft day.

Al-Hussaini called his selection behind Baclao "an insult."

Meanwhile, Rain or Shine signed up fifth pick Joshua Vanlandingham to the maximum three-year for rookies.

Unable to get a new deal with Powerade, Marvin Cruz was snapped up by Barako Bull, which offered him a one-year deal. Paolo Hubalde and Mark Isip were also given fresh one-year deals by Barako Bull. - www.inquirer.net