AFTER losing Jason Castro to Talk ’N Text, Singapore Slingers now turned to another Filipino playmaker in Al Vergara to fill the void vacated by the former Philippine Christian University standout in the squad.

Paul Manozca, the Filipino official in the Slingers management group, said the team signed the five-foot-nine Vergara over the weekend to take the spot of Castro, who opted to stay with the Phone Pals for the coming season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

“We need a point guard who is hungry and needs the right break. One who understands what an international opportunity can provide him,” said Manozca.

“If Al is good enough as a playmaker for Mikee Romero’s team [Harbour Centre], he’s good enough for us,” added Monozca, who pushed for the signing of the newest point guard for the expanding Singapore-based pro team.

The worth of the four-month contract is close to P1 million, according to Vergara’s agent Danny Espiritu.

Manozca was here last week to negotiate with Talk ’N Text management, with the latter offering two point guards to the Slingers but nixed it.

They also inquired about PBA veteran Johnny Abarrientos of Barangay Ginebra, but the 1996 Most Valuable Player decided to stick with the Kings’ coaching staff.

Vergara is now in Singapore where he met Slingers head of operations Michael Johnson.

He will be tested early against PBA teams Air21 and Purefoods, which considered Vergara in the team, in the Singapore Challenge Series 2008. The Slingers play the Express Thursday then take on the Giants on September 30.

Vergara will play against his former team, Harbour Centre, on January 4 next year. He will also have stints in Australia and play against two National Basketball League teams and Taiwan.

“Nagdasal po ako nung hindi ako nakuha sa Purefoods, hindi ko po talaga alam kung ano ang future ko nu’ng time na iyon,” said Vergara.

Besides Air21 and Purefoods, the Slingers also sent their invitations to the Phone Pals to play in the Challenge Series.

“It is important that we keep the pace of sports cooperation between the two countries in high gear,” said Slingers president Bob Turner.

Oscar must make weight or else…

NOT even a whopping $3-million-per-pound penalty will urge Freddie Roach to allow Manny Pacquiao to fight Oscar de la Hoya in their intriguing 12-round bout on December 6 in Las Vegas.

Boxers Act of 2008 aims for creation of unique boxing body

WITH the phenomenal success of “People’s Champ” Manny Pacquaio and the strides other Filipino boxers are making in the international arena, a legislator is seeking the establishment of a new governing body intended only for boxing.

Cards make Stags whimper

MAPUA virtually silenced San Sebastian in the third quarter to score a 63-54 win in their knockout match Wednesday to clinch the fourth and last Final Four slot in the 84th National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

Baby Tams frustrate Zobel boys

FAR Eastern University-Nicanor Reyes Educational Foundational (FEU-FERN) erased De La Salle-Zobel’s bid to repeat as champion with a 58-56 victory Wednesday in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 71 juniors’ basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

Alcano leads all-RP semis cast

TOP seed Ronnie Alcano racked up two more victories to banner an all-Filipino semifinals showdown in the Knightshot Champions 9-Ball Challenge at the exclusive Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club in Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates.

Spurned by Jason, Slingers sign up Vergara instead

AFTER losing Jason Castro to Talk ’N Text, Singapore Slingers now turned to another Filipino playmaker in Al Vergara to fill the void vacated by the former Philippine Christian University standout in the squad.

Part Of The Game: How the UAAP got this big

(Conclusion) 

TELEVISION coverage made the University Athletic Association of the Philippines’ (UAAP) popularity surge.