After a disappointing silver medal finish in the 31st Southeast Asian Games, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas announced that Nenad Vucinic will lead the Gilas Pilipinas in the upcoming FIBA World Cup Qualifiers window.
Gilas Pilipinas
Vucinic will lead Gilas Men in the upcoming window. Consultant Nenad Vucinic has been elevated to head coach of the men’s national 5-on-5 basketball team for the third window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in New Zealand and Pasay City. Invited to the pool for this window are holdovers Ange Kouame, Thirdy Ravena, Dwight Ramos, Carl Tamayo, Justine Baltazar, Dave Ildefonso, SJ Belangel, RJ Abarrientos, Will Navarro, Lebron Lopez, and Geo Chiu. Newly added to the pool are Rhenz Abando, Kevin Quiambao, James Spencer, and Sherwin Concepcion.
đź“·: FIBA.basketball
UAAP Season 84
UST won gold in men’s and silver in women’s 3×3 basketball. Sherwin Concepcion and his hot hands from downtown lifted the University of Santo Tomas to complete a comeback attempt over De La Salle University in the gold medal match in the 3×3 basketball, 22-20. The recent addition in the Gilas Pilipinas pool scored 12 after shooting 6-of-12 from the long-range and was named the Most Valuable Player. In the women’s 3×3 basketball, National University has successfully defended the crown after completing an undefeated run in the tournament. Kristine Cayabyab bagged the MVP award after outplaying UST, 21-18.
đź“·: UAAP Media
NU booked the first ticket to the women’s volleyball Final Four. The National University kept the University of the East winless with a quick three-set victory. Lady Bulldogs extended their streak to stay perfect with a 10-0 record.
La Salle moved to second place with UST, and Adamson eliminated FEU in women’s volleyball. De La Salle University swept the University of the Philippines to cruise to its seventh win. The Lady Spikers have an identical 7-3 win-loss record with the University of Santo Tomas, while the Lady Maroons dropped to a 4-6 slate at the sixth spot. Adamson University tightened its grip on the fourth spot after a three-set victory against free-falling Far Eastern University. Lady Falcons improved to a 6-4 record, while the Lady Tamaraws will miss the Final Four for the first time since Season 76.
NU and UST took the top 2 spots in men’s beach volleyball. The National University will enter the Final Four as the top-seeded team while the University of Santo Tomas—currently on a five-game win streak—took the twice-to-beat spot in the Final Four. De La Salle University will be facing UST, while the University of the Philippines will try to pass NU for a spot in the championship match.
UST dethroned La Salle in taekwondo. The University of Santo Tomas claimed the overall taekwondo title after bagging 3 golds, 1 silver, and 1 bronze in a one-day tournament. The National University and De La Salle University finished as runner-ups with 1-2-1 and 1-1-3 medals, respectively.
Men’s team gold medalist
University of Santo Tomas: Vincent Gabriel Rodriguez, Miguel Alexandre Baladlad, Darius Venerable
Women’s team gold medalist
University of Santo Tomas: Rookie-MVP Aidaine Laxa, Chelsea Xen Tacay, Stella Nicole Yape
Mixed pair event gold medalist
University of Santo Tomas: Justin Kobe Macario, Jade Carno
Men’s individual gold medalist
De La Salle University: Patrick Perez won his third straight individual gold medal
Women’s individual gold medalist
National University: Leila Soria
Miscellaneous
San Beda removed Fernandez as head coach. Team manager Jude Roque confirmed that Boyet Fernandez will not return as the head coach of the San Beda University. In Season 97, the Red Lions’ consecutive finals appearance stopped at 14. SBU had six Final Four and five Finals appearances, and four championships under Fernandez. The former head coach of Colegio de San Juan de Letran and University of Santo Tomas head coach Aldin Ayo is among the consideration to take the spot, while the other candidates are Frankie Lim, Louie Alas, and Jojo Lastimosa.
Caguioa, Devance retired. Barangay Ginebra will be missing the presence of its two veterans. Joe Devance has announced his retirement from basketball, after winning 12 PBA championships with coach Tim Cone in the span of 16 years. Former PBA Most Valuable Player Mark Caguioa has no announcement about the matter, but Cone disclosed that the 42-year-old guard did not want any fanfare and just rather retire quietly.
Will Ravena be allowed to return to Japan? Kiefer Ravena has been offered a contract extension by B.League club Shiga Lakestars. The PBA has yet to decide whether or not to allow the former Ateneo de Manila University star to play again in Japan, as they are waiting for a resolution between the player and the NLEX Road Warriors. He averaged 12.7 points, 2.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.5 steals in his debut as a pro player abroad. Ravena and the PBA had an agreement that he will return to the Road Warriors after fulfilling his contract in B.League.
Akari joined PVL as the 10th team. The Premier Volleyball League announce that Akari Lightning & Technology Corporation has joined the league. Mozzy Ravena will be the team manager. Akari will be playing against Cignal HD, Choco Mucho, F2 Logistics, Chery Tiggo, Black Mamba Army, Petro Gazz, PLDT, BaliPure, and the defending Open Conference champion Creamline. PVL is planning to hold an Invitational Conference in July, then welcome back foreign imports for the Reinforced Conference in October.
The Bulls showed interest in drafting Sotto. Kai Sotto was invited by Chicago Bulls to a private workout. The 7-foot-2 big man previously worked out with the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Orlando Magic. The annual National Basketball Association Draft will be on June 23rd.