Foreign odyssey - Gilas players to be abroad for three months due to World Cup, Asian Games

For a three-month stretch, it’s going to be all work and no play for Gilas Pilipinas

Coach Chot Reyes has laid out a compact schedule for the Philippine men’s national basketball team as they gear up for the FIBA World Cup in Spain and the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea that will see them abroad from the end of July until the start of October.

If everything goes according to plan, the national team will be leaving for Spain on July 31 to start its training camp for the World Cup before coming back to the country by October 5 or shortly after the Asiad.

“The important thing is that you start preparing yourself and your family because that is our schedule for now,” Reyes said as he egged on his players - including the latest additions to the 17-man pool - on the first day of training by Gilas for the world basketball championship.

Paul Lee, Jarred Dillinger, Marcio Lassiter, Beau Belga, and Greg Slaughter, the five players added by Reyes to the Gilas pool, are also set to join the team in Spain and Korea.

Team manager Aboy Castro said Gilas is also looking at the possibility of going to Korea first before proceeding to training camp in Spain, although nothing is definite at this point.

What is certain for now is the nationals’ scheduled tune-up games in Spain against fellow World Cup qualifiers Dominican Republic, Turkey, and Finland, according to Castro.

The World Cup is set for August 31 to September 14.

Reyes said from Spain, the national team will fly directly to Incheon for the Asiad slated for September 19 to October 4.

“Whatever it is we finished [in the World Cup], we’re going to stay in Spain, and then we fly to Korea September 14 or 15. We want to be in Korea at least three days before the Asian Games," said the national coach.  

“So balik natin dito is October 5 na. That’s the schedule we have for now.”

Reyes added he’s also looking to field Gilas in the FIBA Asia Cup, to be held in China from July 11-19, although he’s not certain if the nationals will already be available by that time.

“With the way the PBA schedule is shaping up, I really don’t know if we can do that,” he said.

But Reyes added that Gilas really needs to play a lot of tune-up games for the team to be in shape for the two major tournaments it is joining.

“I’d rather that we be able to play a lot of games than not play at all.” - Gerard Ramos, SPIN

Video: Heat’s LeBron James scores career-high 61 points in win over Bobcats

LeBron James exploded for a career-high 61 points in the Heat’s 124-107 victory over the Bobcats in Miami on Monday.

“The man above has given me some unbelievable abilities to play this game of basketball,” James told Sun Sports in a postgame interview. “I try to take advantage of it each and every night.”

James’ outburst established a Heat franchise scoring record, which Glen Rice set with 56 points against the Magic on April 15, 1995. The four-time MVP shot 22-for-33 from the field, 8-for-10 from three-point range and 9-for-12 from the free-throw line. He added seven rebounds and five assists in 41 minutes. James tied his career high by hitting the eight three-pointers. A 25-point third quarter highlighted his night.

Will we be hearing wedding bells for Pauleen Luna this year?

Pauleen Luna and Vic Sotto have been dating since 2011 and while rumors about the couple getting married are often talked about, we asked Pauleen to confirm (or deny) the current hearsay--is she looking forward to finally tying the knot with her loving beau? 

photos via @pauleenluna's Instagram

"Ayoko naman po'ng umasa. Yeah, it's hard eh, it's not something na babae ang nagde-desisyon. So [we'll know] pagdating na lang 'dun. Open naman ako sa lahat ng possibilities. As you can see, nandito ako sa ganitong klaseng relasyon. I'm very broad-minded with  a lot of things."

Well it looks like the picture-perfect couple is not in any rush even if it's evident that they enjoy each other's company. By looks of their Instagram photos, it's obvious that the couple is very happy with their "in a relationship" status. What trait of Bossing's does Pauleen like best?

photos via @pauleenluna's Instagram

"If you really know him, makikita mo kung gaano ka-simple 'yung buhay niya. Hindi extravagant, hindi siya maluho. Ang nakakapagpaligaya sa kanya, the littlest things," said Pauleen. “'Yun ang pinakagusto ko sa kanya. Wala sa ulo niya, wala sa lifestyle niya kung nasaan man siya ngayon, 'yung success na narating niya.”

Having said that Vic lives a simple lifestyle, Pauleen also accounted that giving extravagant gifts is not exactly their thing, "'Di kami ma-regalo. Siguro ginawa din naming habit 'yun para hindi gawing habit na mag-e-expect ng regalo." Although, they're the kind of couple who likes to eat out and would spend on food instead.

photos via @pauleenluna's Instagram

Indeed, the couple that eats together, stays together.

We're all happy about the love you have found in Bossing Vic and vice-versa, Pauleen!

NBA Houston Rockets Gets Pranked By Team Mascot (Dwight Howard Terrified)

Sarah Lahbati thanks GMA for second chance

Last January 2013, actress Sarah Lahbati became a hot topic in showbiz because of her series of tweets implicating GMA Films President, Atty. Annette Gozon-Abrogar. They filed cases against each other.

Now the libel, unjust vexation and grave coercion charges filed by Sarah against Atty. Gozon-Abrogar have been dismissed. Both parties have settled their issues amicably not only in court, but also personally.