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Mike's Blog
2011 NACBAIT
Written by Michael Mon   
Monday, 16 May 2011 09:50

It's been quite some time since I updated this thing.  I think everyone knows by now how our teams finished last year in Toronto.  But in case you don,t I'll give a short recap.

In the Elite, the A team was on a collision course with the Seattle Bladerunners all weekend long.  There were probably 4 really strong teams there last year- Seattle, the Chicago Dragons, the NY RL Cruisers, and us.  We had the Boston Hurricanes AAU, NY FBNYC, and the Toronto Titans.  We came out and shot the lights out in our first game v/s the Canes.  We won by a whole lot.  We took it easy the next game against FBNYC, saving up for our Toronto Titans game.  The Titans were BIG. 6-9, 6-7, 6-7, and their SG was about 6-1 or 6-2.  So they had us on height.  I think they might have been actually winning at some points, but we ended up using our bench to just tire them out and pulled away with about 9 minutes to go. The Cruisers and Chicago ended up in the same pool, with NY beating them out.  Therefore, Chicago went to the other side of the bracket and faced off with Seattle in the QF's.  They had a really good game with Seattle winning on an Austin Yuen buzzer beater. and it's a shame that they ended up meeting in the QF's instead of the Semis.  Maybe if they met in the Semis, then Seattle would have been tired in the Finals. We got a bye to the 3rd round  (QF's) since we won our pool thanks to the double bye tiered format.  We ended up playing the Toronto Dragons A.  The Dragons beat us the last time we played them in Philly 2008.   Our team is whole lot different than it was then, so we spent some time feeling them out to see what they could do. In the end, we just focused on stopping their big men and we did fine.  On Monday, we headed into the Semis v/s the Cruisers. We haven't played the Cruisers in awhile at the Nationals.  They're a big halfcourt team.  They went up by like 6-7 but we definitely remained calm.  It was a really draining grind it out style game. But we just kept doing our thing, Kenny Ho hit a huge threeball, and Hank had a couple strong post ups on both sides of the block.  They started to get into foul trouble as Tony Hu picked up his 4th foul and we ended up coasting as they were a little shorthanded and playing their 5th game in 3 days with only 7 guys.  The Finals was our much anticipated rematch with Seattle, after they have pretty much had our number for awhile. They have eliminated us the past couple years- in 2006 (QF), 2008 (First Rd), 2009 (Semis). The only time they didnt eliminate us was in 2007 (they didnt go), when we lost to Chicago on that Joe Carlini madness shot. We both came in at 5-0, and I think most spectators had predicted us to meet in the Finals. So we were looking towards the chance to redeem ourselves.  But apparently, we just didnt have it.  Our game v/s the Cruisers evidently took a lot more out of our legs than we though.  Meanwhile, the Bladerunners had won by 25 or 30 v/s Boston, and they had an extra hour of rest.  So they were more ready than we were.  We had no defensive legs left.  6-7 Kyle Kiang hit back to threes from really deep, and he had 17 rebounds. We did shut down Wes Hsu, holding him to 3-15 shooting, but MVP Steve Chang was a monster and scored on everytyhing imaginable.  They ended up beating us by like 20.  It was a pretty disappointing end to a decent tournament, but we really need to figure out a way to beat that team.

The B team had a very forgettable year. I thought they had a good chance to win the Open division, and so did a lot of others.  They lost a game in Pool play and that hurt their seeding.  They ended up meeting NY UE in the QF's and lost.  UE was just more physical, and our B team guys looked like they were a little bit intimidated.  We were smaller, and the refs were letting the teams play.  Ricky Choi had his moments here and there, as did Caleb Lui but on the whole, it was a definite downer year.

The China Dolls finished with a really difficult draw- with eventual 1st and 2nd place teams- Toronto Black Dragons and SF ArcAngels in their pool.  The other team was the Toronto Black Koi, which they dispatched of.  Without Sunny Chang playing, Kalyn Lee was really the only inside option. Our guards played well, but really we were just undersized.  We matched up with LA Aiya iin the QF's. LA seemed like they were going to blow it out, as they were just moving the ball around so well and setting a gazillion screens.  They were playing really physical ball on the other end.  But Coach John Chin came up with some ways to get shots against their matchup zone.  Kalyn got some buckets, and our girls got a little bit more active on defense and for loose balls. Of course a team like LA is going to execute at the right time though, and they hit a couple clutch shots and got stops to push the lead back to double digits and they closed it out with FT's.

For the year, Brian Liang, Huy Nguyen, Ricky Choi, and Kalyn Lee were named to the All-Tourney teams.  Jeffrey Lee joined #1 brother Chris on the NACBA Top 30 players of all time list, and Kevin Lee was inducted into the Top 15 Juniors players of all time club.  

Boston is coming up in a couple weeks.   

 
NACBAIT Preview
Written by Michael Mon   
Thursday, 13 May 2010 13:45

We are about 2 weeks away from this year's NACBAIT in Toronto.  We have 3 teams participating at the 2010 event. CYC A will be playing in the Elite division, CYC B will be playing in the Open division, and CYC China Dolls will be hooping it up in the Womens Open division.  I think all 3 teams have a legitimate shot to reach the Final Four and once you get that far, who knows what can happen?  Our CYC A volleyball team exceeded everyone's expectations and made the Finals in the 2009 NACIVT, so we know that anything is possible.  I think it all depends on the matchups.

For CYC A, we have a very solid team once again. Jeffrey Lee was recently selected to the NACBA Top 30 players of all time.  He joins his brother Chris, who was selected as part of the original 25 in 2005.  These 2 point guards give us one of, if not the best PG platoons in the tourney.  They've got outstanding quickness, anticipation, speed, and knowledge of the game.  At the 2/3 positions we have Huy Nguyen, who led us in scoring last year.  He is a slasher type who can also sink the deep 3 , or pullup for the midrange.  I also love him because he can defend bigger guys.  Kenny Ho from LA has also been playing for CYC for a couple years now.  He began in 2008 in Philly but I guess we were undergoing a lot of transition that year and he sort of got lost in the shuffle.  But this guy can really play. He rebounds very well for his size, he can guard bigger players, he can really shoot the ball, and he's a great team player.  Bobby Hsieh is also in this grouping and he's been All-NACBA a couple of times. From whate everyone is saying, he's really getting in shape this time around, and he has been popping shots from anywhere, so he's obviously been playing well.  He took on a reduced role last year as he sacrificed his offensive props for the betterment of the team.  This year, I'm expecting him to play both ends of the court with equal passion.  Then we've got Keith Wang.  He sat out last year since getting from Hawaii to Florida would've put a big pinch on his wallet.  But now he's moved back in with Uncle Alan and Aunt Carol, so he's gunna be in the mix.  We all know what Keith can do. He's also a multitime All-Tourney selection at Nationals, and he's a scorer, rebounder, and defender with a high basketball IQ.  Unfortunately, Jason Lee tore his ACL and won't be playing this year.  He was going to be our athletic SF/PF/C jack of all trades this year who we could throw in there to help create mismatches for other teams. We hope he'll recover quickly. Then we've got PF Hank Huang from AZ/Minnesota/Iowa.  This guy  has played previously with a host of NACBA teams but I think he's found a real home with CYC A.  He is simply an awesome scorer.  He hits the midrange, he hits the 3, he can post up a little, and he's a good FT shooter.  He's a big guy at about 6-2 or 6-3 and he's pretty muscular so he can bang down low with the big boys.  Then you've got Daniel Liu from LA/NY.  Once our rival with the LA Alpine team, I remember that basically it was Daniel who led to our downfall when we played Alpine in the 2002 Finals.  We had no answer to someone who is an athletic and agile 6-4 with superior skills.  It's much better to play with him than against him.  He was huge for us last year as we reached the Final Four.  Our new pickup this year is Brian Liang. He's about 6-5 and he's built like a tank.  He gives us yet another big body who can score, rebound, and defend down low.  In the recent tourney we played in, he was also able to step out and sink the midrange jumper.   Then you got me and Robie filling out the roster.  We're just really coaching the team but if we get in the game at some point, don't expect us to pass the rock. Maybe to each other but no one else.  CYC A has definitely undergone a huge transformation since we started this team at our first Nationals in 1996.  The holdovers from that team are basically Jeffrey and Chris. Keith didnt play that year.  me and Rob are on the roster this year but we won't make any impact.  We have done well over the years, mainly with an undersized lineup.  Bobby joined us in 1999 when he was just a kid.  Keith has been a mainstay too.  But now you look at where we are heading and it's hard to believe this is the same team.  We now have a lot more size with Daniel, Hank, and Brian in the pivot.  We've got some youth and speed in kenny and Huy.  Hopefully this is our year.  We have been a team on the brink of big time success, making a whole bunch of Final Fours, and making a couple Championship games but we have never been able to pull it off.  If we can clear the hurle in 2010, that would be awesome.

 
CYC Hoops Update
Written by Michael Mon   
Monday, 01 March 2010 15:14

This year's NACBAIT in Toronto is less than 3 months away.   We have a couple warmup tourneys in the meantime.  This year's Pre-NACBAIT will be held in New Jersey instead of Philly this year, since I just don't have the time to do it all by myself this year because I am expecting a baby to be born any day now.  So I spoke with NACBA Co-Chair Denny Lee and he offered up the support of himself and the NY Rockits.  Expect the same high level of competition & intesnity that this tournament usually brings.  We will just be in a different environment this year.  As far as I know, the China Dolls, CYC B, and CYC 18's already have made plans to attend.  I dont know about CYC A or the CYC 15's but I'm sure I will hear from everyone.  CYC A is also trying to get together to play in a local Indo-Pak type tournament to face some different competition.  It's going to be tough since many of the players would be flying in from the west coast, or driving in from the NYC area.  But I hope it all works out.

Pre-NACBAIT Classic dates are as follows: Saturday April 3rd- Womens, 18's, 15's at Drew University.  Saturday April 17th- Mens Elite at Citysports on 4.  Sunday April 18th- Mens Open, Mens Friendship at Citysports on 4.

For the Elite division, I know the Ny Rockits, NY Cruisers, Toronto Titans, CYC B, and the the Philly team that I coach (Philly Fastball) are already looking to attend.  I hear the Toronto Dragons may be looking to come down too, and last year the Toronto Kagers made the trip.  USAB usually also makes a good try at coming and so do the Boston Hurricanes and Philly Suns.  So there should be a good number of Nationals teams making up the field.  If CYC A fields a team, it would be a very good tourney.

The Rockits are also trying to get together a small tuneup tourney in NYC in May right before the Nationals. 

As for this year's Nationals- make sure you check out the deals on the nacbait website regarding Air Canada flights.  And also make sure you guys book your rooms quickly at the tournament hotel- the Hilton Suites, since it might be filling up and you guys want to be able to get the room types you want.  All the events will be held at the Tourney hotel, such as banquet, meetings, registration, social events, welcome party, etc. And in case you were going to ask- yes, you do need to get a rental car because you cannot walk to the hotel, or walk from the hotel to the gyms.  We will be at 2-3 different locations since no one gym can accomodate everyone. 

 
Winter 2010 Results
Written by Michael Mon   
Monday, 25 January 2010 10:51

On January 16th & 23, 2010, Washington CYC worked in conjunction with the newly formed Philadelphia Fastball team to host a Winter 2010 Asian Invitational basketball tournament in Philadelphia.  Tournaments were held for both 15 & Under Boys, and Mens Friendship level teams.  Be on the watch for a possible February event for Mens Open teams if gym space becomes available.

In the Mens Friendship division, 5 closely pitted squads took part in the Friendship Tourney at the newly built Fels High School.  Following round robin pool play, the playoffs began in the mid afternoon.  In the #4/#5 wild card game, the Philly Suns B and Phila Fastball B squared off for the rights to advance.  The teams had met earlier in the day, with the Suns B advancing 31-28 in a close one.  With elimination facing the loser this time around, as well as bragging rights for the city, both teams were pretty nervous.  The teams were attrocious in the first half, as Fastball B led by an anemic 4-3 score.  In the second half, Fastball B got their run game on with De Lin (9 pts, 8 boards, 1-3 ft) and Jimmie Poeng (5-9 ft, 3 steals) getting out into the open court.  Fastball B won by 10, 30-20.  Sam Jung paced the Suns B with 7 pts, and 2 assists (1-3 ft).  In the Semis, Fastball B had to play back to back against the top seeded and undefeated Lightyear Studio team.  Lightyear took advantage of the tired Fastball B team and raced out to a 22-10 edge.  Justin Luu was money from everywhere as Fastball tried both man and zone defenses.  Tang Vu (11 pts, 1 block, 2 treys) came off the bench in the second half to replace the weary Fastball B guys, and pulled his team within 3, but Lightyear was smart enough to ride the free throw shooting of PF Veng Ting (11 pts, 9-10 ft) to win 38-28.  In the other Final Four matchup, Fastball C would meet up with Armando Buligon's Ronin team.  Both teams came in sporting identical .500 records in pool play, so nobody knew what to expect here.  Ronin was led by the flashy and spectacular swingman Spenser Bartelbaugh and young PG Austin Buligon.  Fastball C countered with a lineup of new adds Christopher Kim (7 pts, 3 rebs), Minh Nguyen (5 pts, 1-1 ft), Daniel Su (6 pts), and Chien Ming Cheng.  Fastball C had little cohesion, but they were able to figure out how to space the court correctly as fellow rookies Ferd Mendoza (4 pts) and Yu Heng Guo (1 trey) were able to direct traffic.  Fastball took a slight lead as they led by 8 at the half.  But Ronin came back in the second half and got within 1, with Mel Fabian sinking a super deep threeball and with Austin Buligon (7 pts, 3-3 ft, 4 dimes) getting his guys out into transition.  Fastball pulled out a big win 33-28.

The Championship game would boil down to Fastball C and Lightyear Studio.  Lightyear decided to spread out the attack in the first half, with 7 different players contributing to their 16 points, as they held onto 16-11 lead midway through.  In the second half, Fastball C lived up to their name as they started to play their famous style at both ends of the court.  The pace picked up and the deep bench of the C team led them to a 42-36 win and the first tourney title in their history.  Justin Luu had 12 pts/2-2 ft, and Veng Ting had 9 pts/5 rebounds for Lightyear, and MVP Ferd Mendoza had 6 for Fastball.  Bigman Chien Ming Cheng led fastball with 7 pts and 2 blocks.

Wild Card: Fastball B 30, Suns B 20.                                                                  

Semifinals: Lightyear Studio 38, Fastball B 28.  Fastball C 33, Ronin 28.

Finals: Fastball C 42, Lightyear Studio 36.

All Tourney Team: Ferd Mendoza, Fastball C (MVP); Yit Mun Lee, Fastball C; Justin Luu, Lightyear Studio; Veng Ting, Lightyear Studio; Jimmie Poeng, Fastball B; Spenser Bartelbaugh, Ronin; Kellen Ngo, Suns B.

The Youth 15/under tournament was an action packed day of pool play and single elimination playoffs for these exciting players.  Pool play made for a long day but two games worth mentioning were a Philly Young Suns upset of the newly formed Philly Fastball Juniors, and a thrilling Washington CYC 15's comeback win over the NY USAB 15's.  In the Semifinals, up first was NY USAB 15's v/s the Philly Young Suns.  The pool play matchup had produced a 61-22 drubbing of the Suns, but the playoff version was slightly closer as USAB wanted to reserve some energy for the Finals game.  USAB won 52-18,  Young guard Mitchell Cheung penetrated his way to 15 points and 2 dimes, and Thomas Cui also reached double digits with 10 and a trifecta.  Jonathan Lai led the Suns with 5.  In the other semifinals, the Fastball Juniors should have come in with a wave of confidence as they had upset the CYC 15's 41-40 in pool play.  Instead, they looked flat, coming off an uninspiring 29-26 loss to the Young Suns.  CYC was ready for the Fastball trapping and pressing style, as they countered with their own 3/4 court trap.  The mastra of press against a pressing team held true.  This caught Philly by surprise as all-universe 6-0 PG Drew Dowds (17 pts, 7-7 ft, 12 rebs, 2 assists) led the CYC attack.  With Fastball trying to play catchup against a polished CYC team, many of the fastballers got into foul trouble.  PG Ricky paced Philadelphia with 7 points, but CYC was able to get to ndout Peter Chin hit a  4 points.  But in the end, USAB was able to execute when it counted, and went to the Finals with a 36-22 win.

The Championship game was a rematch of a 42-36 CYC win over USAB.  The game started out with USAB taking a 6 point lead.  Lefty PF Erick Wong (12points, 7 rebs) got out to finish on the break, and USAB was pestering CYC's do-it all guy Drew Dowds by sticking smaller, quicker players on him.   CYC was forced to take a quick TO to change the game plan.  CYC changed their plan, but MVP Thomas Cui registered 3 of 5 triples in the first half to give New York an 18-13 cushion.  The two teams played about evenly at the start of the second half, but NYC’s lead swelled from 5 points to 11 in about a minute, as Kevin Cui and Erick Wong went on a 6-0 mini run.  Drew Dowds and 8th grade standout Peter Chin made a couple big shots, and big man Jason Lee popped a trifecta to get CYC within 4.  USAB started to buckle down a little on defense and did not allow Washington any more open looks.  USAB took home the hardware 43-36.  Both teams look solid heading into the Nationals.  

Pool Y:  Washington CYC 2-1, NY USAB 2 -1, Phila Young Suns 1-2, Phila Fastball Juniors 1-2.

Semifinals: NY USAB 15's def. Phila Young Suns 52-18.  Washington CYC 15's def. Phila Fastball Juniors 36-22.

Finals: NY USAB 15's 43, Washington CYC 15's 36.

All Tournament Team: Thomas Cui, NY USAB 15's (MVP); William Loo, NY USAB 15's; Drew Dowds, Washington CYC 15's; Jason Lee, Washington CYC 15's; David, Fastball Juniors, Hanlan Huang, Phila Young Suns. 

 

 

 
Winter Tourney Update
Written by Michael Mon   
Thursday, 07 January 2010 15:20

Friendship Division Update: Saturday January 16th at the new Fels High School from 10am-5pm.  Address is 5500 Langdon Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19124.  Rosters are due by Monday January 11th.  Waivers will be provided and must be signed by all participants prior to taking part in the event.  Entry fee is $245. All teams are guaranteed to play 3 games throughout the day. Registered teams: Phila Fastball B/C, Phila Suns B, Phila Lightyear Studio, Phila Ronin/FACAA.    We have room for 1-2 more.

Boys Youth 15/Under Update: Saturday January 23rd at Northern Liberties Rec Center from 8am-6pm.  Address is 321 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19123.  Rosters are due by Tuesday January 19th.  Waivers will be provided and must be signed by all participants prior to taking part in the event.  Entry fee is $245.  All teams are guaranteed to play 3 games throughout the day.  Teams: Phila Young Suns, NY USAB 15 Blue, NY USAB 15 Gold, NY Rockits, Washington CYC 15. We have room for 1 more team.

for more info, email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 
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