Teams of The Greater Toronto Area clash, as NABA, FBA, and PIBNA teams come together to fight for all the bragging rights of Eastern Canada.
RISEOFTHESON WOULD LIKE TO WISH GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE TEAMS PARTICIPATING IN THIS YEAR’S TOURNAMENT!
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A Chinese based organization out of Maryland, the Pistons have been sending teams to several invitational tournaments along the east coast and are one of the east coast representatives in the NACBA Chinese Nationals every Memorial Day weekend. In the most recent Pre-NACBA Invitational tournament hosted by the NY Rockits, the Pistons sent two teams to compete for the championship hardware with the 18&U and 15&U teams, both of which had seasoned veterans. Their 15&U young guns made it all the way to the championship vs. the undefeated NY-NJ Metro powerhouse of NYCE (NYC Elite).  Louie Brill (32) against NABA baller, Nikko Guirao, of JSAG-JerseyShore Led by their Big 3 of Louie Brill, Justin Kung and sharpshooter, RiseOfTheSon standout, Ervin Liang, the Pistons gave NYCE the biggest run for their money keeping the game close and exciting. Despite losing, they won the respect of many asian basketball fans in attendance, including the coaches and players of the NYCE team whom had won by single digits for the 1st time since 2008 vs. the Pistons.
 NYCE was forced to assign their best defender, Ranier Garcia (left) to defend Ervin Liang (right), who kept his Pistons squad within striking distance of NYCE's lead. It’s rare to see talented and hungry young ballers matched with a strong coaching staff which the Pistons had. Dr. Kung is one of the masterminds of this growing organization and was assisted by Louie Brill Sr., a former collegiate athlete and National team player of the Philippines. The combination of Filipino and Chinese American talent matched the NYCE supremacy with the Fil-Am Allstars they possess from the Metro Area. One of RiseOfTheSon’s popular quotes on future ball players is, “The best part is they’re still young and still learning”. That can apply to these kids, already talented but still young and learning the game. RiseOfTheSon highly recommends you take the chance to see this team play, especially when they go up against high caliber teams.
In the past two NABA intercity tournaments, General Penalosa has made it to the championship twice. In NABA Detroit 2008, he lead SIPAG Bantam to the finals to fall to Jason Lomboy and the North York Brotherhood. In NABA Scarborough 2009, he helped the North Jersey Juniors win their 2nd Junior division championship in a row, getting his 1st hardware in his 5 year NABA career, which got him Honorable Mention in the NABA 2009 All Junior team. This year, he was seen working out for North Jersey, JSAG-Jersey Shore, and SIPAG-NY. Could he be on the North Jersey Junior team that fights for a 3 peat? Could he be the point guard to get JSAG’s 1st NABA championship? Or could he make a return to the mighty orange and blue ? Who will he join in pursuit of another championship? Who will he build around to contend with the powerhouses of North York, Winnipeg, Montreal-Marquis and the top Championship contender of Dolce-Toronto? Only time will tell, just remember that in 2008 and 2009, he was always a part of a championship contender team. Also keep in mind, wherever he goes, Ranier Garcia follows, who could be the best kept secret of his division. The two have combined for a 10-2 record at NABA the past two seasons. Stay tuned for the top point guards of the 2010 NABA Junior division as well as the Junior division breakdown and power rankings for NABA 2010 Jersey Shore.
 Fil-Am Rising Stars Lead by the Dela Pena family formerly from Staten Island, NY, the Fil-Am Rising Stars Clinic has been in full effect teaching young Fil-Ams in the Dallas area the basics and fundamentals of basketball. Marlon Dela Pena, a former Intercity coach of the SIPAG(Staten Island Philippine American Group)-New York basketball empire, as well as his sons, Flipside ball players Jorel and Maynard Dela Pena, also SIPAG products, joined by a handful of volunteers, all take on the responsibilities in teaching the youth how to play the game. They are doing their part in training the filipino basketball future of Texas, and are sure to be heading to a Filipino Labor Day National Tournament within the years to come. If you know any Fil-Ams or asian americans in the Dallas area that want to get into a strong basketball program, let them know about the Rising Stars ! You can find more info on them at their website, www.FilamDallasrisingstars.org, which can also be located under our links.  Coach Jorel directing the young guns.
Class of Players Born 1991
This is probably one of the best age groups in the GTA its deep and talented. I compare this class to the Lebron James draft class of 2003 (Lebron, Carmelo, D-Wade, CB4, Kaman, Hinrich, Barbosa and David West). With all these talented players there were tonnes of exciting games to watch. These players selected did not come easy as the talent pool was deep. Here are the FAB 5.
Profiles:
Matthew Wright 6’2 Guard/Forward: One of the Elite players in the GTA. When it comes to local Filipino games or tournaments he draws crowds. He’s a pure scorer, has a great outside shot and is one of the toughest guys to defend. He is the total package. He and Norbert Torres formed one of the deadliest duos in Toronto Filipino Basketball. They have won multiple tournaments and league championships together such as PHYBA, MPAA and back to back Turkey Ball tournaments etc. But once Norbert goes up to the next division Matthew didn’t have the support he needed to bring home titles. He was basically Lebron James for his team with the length of Kevin Durrant. I remember going up against Lakan in the Victoria cup tournament in 2008 and he put on a show in a loss scoring a game high 44 points. He was just simply unstoppable. Matthew played for the Philippines RP youth team in 2007 that competed in the Asian Championships he also is getting a Scholarship offer from Duquesne, Santa Clara and Maine. Matthew just currently led his High School team the Martingrove Bears to qualify for the AAA Provincial Championships which is being held in March. Watch out for Matthew in the future!! Alron Tamayo 6’1 Center- Probably the Best Big Man from the Falcons organization and the best Center out of the players born in 1991. I referred him as Norman`s sidekick. Those two were like Batman and Robin. Every shot Norman missed. Alron would always be there to clean the garbage. Alron wears the jersey 12 just like Dwight Howard (don’t know if wears it because of it). Even though he doesn`t have the shot blocking ability like Howard but players who have played against him in open divisions and younger divisions in the past tell me he`s a strong kid. Opponents underestimate Alron`s strength and mid range jumper. Once he gets position in the low block its automatic. He’s also a rebounding machine. Alron also gives players fits when driving to the lane by having players alter their shots. Alron carries a ton of championships and MVP awards. Played part of the 4-time NABA championship Falcon Teams. Alron will help the Falcons succeed in the future. Jamil Sheriff (aka Jon Jon) 5’9 Point Guard – A quick, dynamic point guard who has been improving on every aspect of his game. Jon Jon knows how to find an open teammate and is deadly on the break. With an improved jump shot Jon Jon has become an all around player. On the defensive end Jon Jon is a strong defender who forces turnovers and makes steals look easy. Jon Jon and his partner in crime CJ Isit formed one of the best guard duos in Toronto. Together they have led Vaughan win 3 straight MPAA Championships and won co MVP in 2007 (2008, 2009 Juvenile Division, 2007 Bantam Division), 2006 FBA Championship, and helped Vaughan to a second place finish as an underage Juvenile player in the 2008 FBA held in Winnipeg. One stat you will never see on the stat sheet from Jon Jon is 4. This is the amount of people he has dropped to the floor due to his quick cross over. He did it twice in one game. Jon Jon was also part of the Pinoy Canadian Prospect Team that travelled to the Philippines in December 2008. While playing for the prospects Jon Jon was recruited by Coach Pido Jarencio of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers. Jon Jon is currently playing for the University of Santo Tomas but is in his first year of the two year residency rule where he joins another two other players from Toronto Forward Mark Arcangel (Vaughan/Lakan) and Center Brian Asiedu (Vaughan). Jon Jon is UST’s gain but as well as Vaughan’s loss but we all know he will do well and succeed.
Carlos (C.J.) Isit Jr. 5’10 Shooting Guard –The other half of Vaughan’s dynamic guard tandem. Has accomplished Championships in his young basketball career, a 3 time MPAA Finals MVP, 2006 FBA MVP and Has been named to a few of First Team All Star awards in past OBA and High School tournaments. CJ also played on the NABA Markham Dolce bantam dream team in 2004 in Montreal that dominated the competition. CJ is a player you will always see in the gym and tries to improve every aspect of his game. He’s and fellow teammate Jon Jon Sheriff will always give it their all and are positive influences to their teammates on and off the court. CJ will always find a way to score and he can carry teams on his back. Teams usually throw junk defences at him in order to stop him like the box and 1. He’s dangerous in the open court that finishes with ease. A Carmelo Anthony type jumper and who has hit a ton of clutch shots in the past. A couple of them were against Norman Penola and the Toronto Falcons and Matthew Wright and his Lakan squad. He’s been especially a nightmare to the FABA Washington D.C. every year they meet with shots hit in the dying seconds. CJ future right now looks bright. He will compete in AAAA Ontario provincial tournament in Oshawa this month and will help guide Vaughan Secondary School to try and capture the gold medal. He also helped Vaughan win a 3rd straight York Region Title and help them win a silver and bronze medal in the AAA provincial championships. CJ and the Vaughan Juvenile team will be tough in the upcoming FBA tournament in Mississauga. Michael Norman Penola 6’1 Shooting Guard/Small Forward A lot of good players have come out the Toronto Falcons Organization but none better than the face of the organization Michael Norman Penola. The silky smooth lefty led the Falcons to 4 straight NABA championships one of the hardest tasks to accomplishments. As like CJ, Norman has won awards after awards from his days in peewee to playing in the open division. A deadly perimeter shooter who is strong and quick for his big frame can be a matchup problem for opposing players and coaches. Coaching against Norman Penola was always a challenge that gets coaches like me scratching their heads. Norman’s athletic ability is underrated because of his frame. He has tremendous athletic ability that other coaches don’t really recognize. Norman is a very talented player who hits shots that are impossible to sink. Not known for his defence but when the game is on the line you can depend on Norman to make the necessary stop. Norman has good court vision that can spot an open man a mile away. Norman’s presence on the court is also intimidating to opponents because of his intensity and emotion. Norman led Notre Dame of Ajax to the 2009 AAAA provincial championships and once eligible he going to try and help guide the Ateneo Blue Eagles to UAAP championships in the future. Norman will make the Toronto Falcons and Filipino basketball in Toronto proud. Watching either Falcons vs Lakan , Vaughan vs Lakan or Falcons vs Vaughan these were intense games especially the Vaughan vs Falcons game as they went back and forth as it was speed vs power. Seeing Norman and Alron go at with CJ and Jon Jon. Watching Mattew Wright was a just unbelievable show. Too bad these teams don’t meet in Labour day tournaments. Honorable Mentions: Ulysses Mendoza Guard 5’11 – Toronto Dolce/CKatt Lemoel De La Cruz Center 6’2 – Vaughan Gian Guimbao 5’9 Guard – Toronto Falcons Adrian Varilla 5’7 Guard – Toronto Dolce/CKatt Chris Arcangel 6’1 Forward – Vaughan/Lakan Adrian Sanchez 5’10 Forward – Toronto Falcons Christian Epistola – Vaughan/Toronto Dolce
 PRE-NACBA Tournament Info STILL TO COME: Hoopsville July 4th Juvenile Invitational information |
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