Friday, February 25, 2011

TFC League Rules...


tFC League Rules:

We’re posting the Official Rules and Guidelines for tFC.  Please review and share with your friends who are interested in participating.  Click in on each page to enlarge.  Please contact us through email (russell@xoevents.org) or the X's & O's Basketball Facebook Page if you have questions. 

Another reminder…GET YOUR MONEY and REGISTRATION FORM IN EARLY, before MARCH 25, 2011!!! Don’t want to be left out…






Thursday, February 24, 2011

Introducing MBL: The Fiesta Cup...

tFC League Format:

I’m sure you’ve all heard the rumors and rumblings.  An official announcement was made on the X’s & O’s Basketball Facebook Fan Page.  Now it’s time to share the details with the blogosphere!

X’s & O’s Basketball is proud to present the Mabuhay Basketball League (MBL), a Filipino basketball league for Filipino residents of Fresno and the surrounding communities of Central California.  In the vein of our beloved Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), the MBL will be staging conferences throughout the year with different formats and rules.  Our first conference within the MBL universe is The Fiesta Cup (tFC). 

tFC is a free agent league in which teams will be selected by captains in a draft to be held on March 25, 2011.  All potential free agents need to have forms filled out at $55 registration fee (reversible jersey included) by the March 25, 2011 deadline.  No players will be allowed to sign up for participation after the draft has taken place.  A waiting list will be kept for players who have missed the deadline and have paid before the official start of tFC on April 8, 2011, ($60 late registration fee will apply) in case a team loses players to injury or scheduling conflict.

Depending on the number of players eligible, each team will have no less than 10 guaranteed games for the tFC season.  The maximum number of guaranteed games will be 16 (based on a 16 team league). 

The DRAFT:

tFC is open to all players of FILIPINO heritage.  This will be on the Honor System, meaning tFC staff will not require documentation at registration to verify Filipino heritage.  However there will be a challenge system in place.  If an opposing team challenges the heritage of a player and it is determined that the player is not Filipino, the player will be disqualified from tFC.  The team in violation will be assessed a 20-point penalty for that game. 

The tFC draft will take place on Friday, March 25, 2011 at St. Anthony of Padua Community Center during tFC Open Run for Charity.  If you would like to showcase your skills for a good cause and for potential teams, come to the Open Run from 6-9 pm.  There will be a $5 cover charge, with a portion of the proceeds to go to charity.  If you haven’t had a chance to complete a tFC registration form/liability waiver and pay your registration fee ahead of time.  Please be aware that the draft will start at 7:45 pm, sharp.  If you sign after 7:45 pm, your name cannot be entered in the draft and will go to the waiting list. 

Team captains are determined on first come-first paid basis.  Captains will need to complete a roster based on filling these 10 positions:

4 Guards
3 Forwards
3 Utility Players (G or F)

Eligible players categorized by GUARDS and FORWARDS will be posted for all captains the night of the draft.  The draft board will also include notes for each player, including scheduling conflicts, so each captain can make informed selections.  In the event guards or forwards no longer remain on the board in the later rounds to fill a team’s need, the team captain will be able to select based on available players.  Teams will be posted as selections are made. 

For each round, order of selection will be based on a draft lottery, so that each team has the possibility of selecting first for that round. 

WE ADVICE all interested players to complete forms and make payment early through the mail so you can enjoy the Open Run, get reacquainted with old friends, meet new friends and the X’s & O’s Basketball staff, and have fun for a good cause.   Registration instruction can be found on the form below…

Point your cursor to this JPEG, right click, save the image to your hard drive, print it out, fill it up, put the form and payment and send it to the address on the form.  Please feel free to email us at russell@xoevents.org if you have questions or you would like us to email you a fillable form. 


Our aim is to build up the community with family-oriented like tFC. If you are interested in corporate or private sponsorship of this event or other X's & O's Basketball projects, please do not hesitate to contact us through email or the X's & O's Basketball Facebook Fan Page. 

Friday, January 28, 2011

How Much Do You Love the Game?

How Much Do You Love the Game?

This is an interesting and hopefully inspiring article about Jorge Gutierrez and his arduous, sometimes tortuous, mostly profound journey into high-major Division 1 basketball.  It’s never enough to be just talented.  It’s never enough to be lucky or fortunate.  It’s never enough to just out-work everyone.  But put those three things together and mix in perseverance, mental fortitude, and an appreciation and passion for the game, and you can make a place for yourself in the world of basketball.  More to the point, you can make a place for yourself in any field of endeavor. 

Despite discrimination, racism, and social bias, it is so comforting to know that in America, there are still opportunities when the quality of your character and the work that defines you can overcome your station in life or the color of your skin.  This should be a lesson for all players and coaches who may be tempted take the easy route when things get difficult…can you say that your situation is any tougher than this student-athlete?  Something to ponder…

Cal's Jorge Gutierrez Shaped by Life-Changing Voyage from Mexico

Thursday, January 27, 2011

The Value of a Good Coach

The Value of a Good Coach…

Randomly scouring the internet for news and stories to occupy my time, I came across this article at Yahoo Sports about Coach Scott Lang from La Roche College, near Pittsburgh, PA.  A small NCAA Division III school with no remarkable history of success, the article outlines the dedication of one coach to a school community and his players that will have a lasting impact far beyond his time on the sidelines.  For coaches who enter the profession with clear and pure intentions, Coach Lang’s story will ring true and I thought it was worth sharing.  It's a fitting tribute to a coach who believed he was making a difference. 

Enjoy the link below…

Big Coach in the Little Gym

Friday, January 14, 2011

Meet in the Middle Parking...

Be advised that the Fresno State University Men’s Basketball Team has a home game this Saturday.  We were just informed.  Parking will probably be free in the morning, but you may have an issue in the afternoon.  So your best choice is to car pool if you can, and try to stay the whole day at the Student Rec Center.  There are restaurants within walking distance or short 1-2 minute drive…

MEET IN THE MIDDLE TOURNAMENT SCHDULE RELEASED!


HERE IS THE TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE...CALL IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS. 


Meet in the Middle UPDATE #7: Team Updates and Last-Minute Tips

Meet in the Middle UPDATE #7: Team Updates and Last-Minute Tips

Before I forget:


·         In the spirit of the Martin Luther King, Jr. national holiday, we are proud that the Meet in the Middle Winter Classic is as inclusive as possible to people of all nationalities and backgrounds who share the Filipino’s love and passion for basketball.   We hope that all the teams and those in stands have fun, cheer for their teams, and have a positive experience. 

·         Please inform your team members to have a Photo ID ready when registering for the tournament.  Names on Official Rosters will be checked with ID’s. 

·         Due to unforeseen circumstances, FASTBREAK #2 was not able to field a team for the tournament, reducing our field to 11 teams.  Teams that have FASTBREAK #2 on their schedule will instead play a modified XO SELECT team so you can get your 3 games in.  According to the posted tournament rules, the game is still considered a forfeit and you will receive 20 points towards your point differential total.  However, an added incentive for winning the game is that if your team wins against XO SELECT, your margin of victory will be added to the 20 points you will already receive.  Since we are playing in modified pool format, points are crucial since teams in a group can have identical records. 

·         Complete tournament schedules are being released to teams who have paid or have been in direct contact with the Tournament Director, Russell Raypon.  Teams who have done so should check their email inboxes this afternoon.  If you have not contacted me directly yet, please do so ASAP.  If you are still in the process putting together your payment, your next best bet is to show up at 7:30 am Saturday morning to register your team and see the posted tournament schedule.

·         We are posting the rules of the 3pt Shooting Contest early:
o   Two divisions: OPEN and FILIPINO Only
o   Contest is open to players and spectators; Tournament spectators are also encouraged to participate
o   $10.00 fee for Filipino Only; $15.00 for Open; $20.00 for both divisions
o   Open Contest will be two rounds; Filipino Only will be 1 round
o   5 Spots, 4 balls (1 pt each) and 1 Money Ball (2 pts each)
o   Most points in 1 minute advances or wins
o   Winner from each division will win a cash prize with remaining proceeds to be used for tournament operating costs
                                                                                  
It should be a great weekend of basketball!