[Submitted by rnhalawi on August 16, 2006, 2:53 pm]
New San Juan Arena treats fans with free GA, low-priced premium seats
With a tough tournament up this weekend, the San Miguel Beer sponsored Team Pilipinas hopes to draw some inspiration.That may well be provided by the Lebanon national team that will try to redeem their pride when they battle the Nationals Wednesday night at the close of their two-game goodwill series that serves as a tuneup for both squads.
The 7 p.m. encounter at the brand new San Juan Arena promises to be interesting with the Lebanese expected to exhibit their skills that earned them a spot in the World Basketball Championship.
Tickets to the game are available at the San Juan Arena and are pegged at P100 (ringside) and P50 (lower box). The general admission section is free to the public. "It's going to be a battle out there. Every play will be tough. The Lebanese won't allow themselves to get beaten twice. Another loss would affect their confidence heading into the World Championships," said coach Norman Black, who pinch-hitted for head coach Chot Reyes in the first game Sunday.
Reyes is expected to be back on the bench for the second game from Taipei where he called the shots for the San Miguel Beermen, who competed in the Asian Professional Basketball Tournament.
"I agree with coach Norman (Black) that the Lebanese will give the RP Team a tough challenge. This team (Lebanon) is ranked among the world's elite in the sport of basketball. They certainly want to keep their pride intact," said PBA commissioner Noli Eala, who is calling on basketball fans to come and watch the game and rally behind Team Philippines.
With Renren Ritualo in his finest form, the Filipinos gave the Lebanese a rude welcome in the first of their scheduled two-game goodwill series Sunday with a 94-75 blowout that tarnished the dignity of the visitors, Asia's second best team. Ritualo eventually finished with a game-high 23 points, going 7-for-16 from the 3-point region, to show the way for the Nationals who capitalized on their quickness to slow down the tall visitors. Paul Coughter, the Lebanese's American coach, said the long trip from Jordan to the Philippines (via Qatar) and the five-hour time difference had kept them sleepless since they arrived.
"The day of the game last Sunday, we were up until six in the morning. Then we practiced," Coughter said, who has lost his voice due to the change in climate and the non-stop rains. "We're all just out of sync. Hope we play better this time." Lebanon beat Canada, without Steve Nash last week, a day after falling to Slovenia also in a tuneup game. The two-game goodwill series serves as the final stage of Lebanon’s preparations for the World Basketball Championship set in Saitama, Japan starting this weeked. SMB-Pilipinas is also using this series in preparation for the 6th Brunei Cup where they are the defending champions. The Brunei Cup is set on August 19-27. (DBC)
WWW.PBA.PH
With a tough tournament up this weekend, the San Miguel Beer sponsored Team Pilipinas hopes to draw some inspiration.That may well be provided by the Lebanon national team that will try to redeem their pride when they battle the Nationals Wednesday night at the close of their two-game goodwill series that serves as a tuneup for both squads.
The 7 p.m. encounter at the brand new San Juan Arena promises to be interesting with the Lebanese expected to exhibit their skills that earned them a spot in the World Basketball Championship.
Tickets to the game are available at the San Juan Arena and are pegged at P100 (ringside) and P50 (lower box). The general admission section is free to the public. "It's going to be a battle out there. Every play will be tough. The Lebanese won't allow themselves to get beaten twice. Another loss would affect their confidence heading into the World Championships," said coach Norman Black, who pinch-hitted for head coach Chot Reyes in the first game Sunday.
Reyes is expected to be back on the bench for the second game from Taipei where he called the shots for the San Miguel Beermen, who competed in the Asian Professional Basketball Tournament.
"I agree with coach Norman (Black) that the Lebanese will give the RP Team a tough challenge. This team (Lebanon) is ranked among the world's elite in the sport of basketball. They certainly want to keep their pride intact," said PBA commissioner Noli Eala, who is calling on basketball fans to come and watch the game and rally behind Team Philippines.
With Renren Ritualo in his finest form, the Filipinos gave the Lebanese a rude welcome in the first of their scheduled two-game goodwill series Sunday with a 94-75 blowout that tarnished the dignity of the visitors, Asia's second best team. Ritualo eventually finished with a game-high 23 points, going 7-for-16 from the 3-point region, to show the way for the Nationals who capitalized on their quickness to slow down the tall visitors. Paul Coughter, the Lebanese's American coach, said the long trip from Jordan to the Philippines (via Qatar) and the five-hour time difference had kept them sleepless since they arrived.
"The day of the game last Sunday, we were up until six in the morning. Then we practiced," Coughter said, who has lost his voice due to the change in climate and the non-stop rains. "We're all just out of sync. Hope we play better this time." Lebanon beat Canada, without Steve Nash last week, a day after falling to Slovenia also in a tuneup game. The two-game goodwill series serves as the final stage of Lebanon’s preparations for the World Basketball Championship set in Saitama, Japan starting this weeked. SMB-Pilipinas is also using this series in preparation for the 6th Brunei Cup where they are the defending champions. The Brunei Cup is set on August 19-27. (DBC)
WWW.PBA.PH