FASA basketball league provides home for Filipino hoopers

• July 2, 2023

CARSON — When Laurence Elorde and Pocholo Gatmaitan first met in the third grade, they immediately bonded over their love of basketball.

Whether it was arguing over who was better— Magic or Bird— or hooping in flip flops in the tropical climate of the Philippines, they were basketball junkies from a very young age.

But as the two grew, their careers took off in different directions. Both went to look for jobs and they veered off different paths in their respective lives.

That was until 2008.

Elorde, who had already immigrated to the United States years prior, ran into a familiar face at an open run in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles.

As Elorde walked out of the gym, he noticed a man following him into the parking lot. A little hesitant, Elorde tried to rush out until he heard the man ask “Hey are you Laurence?”

After spitting out a nervous “yes,” the man smiled and said, “Don’t you remember me? I’m your best friend from third grade.”

The man was none other than Gatmaitan, who had noticed Elorde from the moves he showcased during the open run.

And just like that the two picked up where they left off. Their love of basketball eventually led to the creation of one of the most respected basketball leagues in Los Angeles.

The two created FASA Basketball in 2008 and launched their first round of games in March 2009. FASA is a men’s basketball league that targets Filipino and FIlipino American basketball players though anyone is able to join.

But their impact goes greater than the play on the court. The league provides a space for Filipino immigrants and Filipino Americans to bond over the game of basketball, similar to what Elorde and Gatmaitan did in the third grade.

“Majority of the teams that play for FASA are close to 90% Filipinos from the Philippines,” Elorde said. “They tell us ‘I’m new here to America. We’re looking for a basketball league, can you help us out?’ And that’s what we do. We want to build a place where Filipinos and Filipino Americans can come together and enjoy the game we all love.”

Basketball is by far the number one sport in the Philippines. The professional basketball league, PBA, attracts nearly 4 million viewers and is one of the fastest growing overseas basketball markets in Asia.

Filipino basketball leagues in the U.S. are not new. There have been leagues in the East Coast and Midwest for years and there are annual tournaments where these leagues compete to crown who has the best Filipino players in the country.

According to Elorde and Gatmaitan, they created one of the first Filipino basketball leagues in Los Angeles.

“When me and Laurence created the league, there really wasn’t anything like this,” Gatmaitan said. “We wanted to gather all the Filipino players and have a space to play.”

Many of the league’s players adopted the Filipino basketball culture from back home. Players speak in Tagalog to communicate plays and the fast-paced, fastbreak style of basketball that is popular in the Philippines is a staple of the league.

FASA is currently split into two divisions where there are 40 teams in the South Bay and Los Angeles districts. The teams play in a regular season through the winter that will culminate into a playoff in June.

For Israel Torren, a point guard for team Sindikato, the league is a place that brings familiarity.

“It’s good knowing other Filipinos who want to compete and hoop like I do,” Torren said.

Torren— who immigrated to Southern California at a young age— is a nursing assistant most days, but looks forward to the summer nights when he can come and play in front of his friends and family.

FASA has found success retaining many of its players through the league’s 15 years. A big part of that has been Elorde and Gatmaitan’s outreach to the families of players.

Many of the younger players who play for FASA play because a family member had invited them to join their team.

Jonathan Tubaces, a 19-year-old player, has been playing in the league since he was 16 years old. He grew up watching his dad and uncles play for FASA and decided he wanted to join once he was eligible to.

“Since it’s an adult league, I didn’t think I could really hang,” Tubaces said. “I just kind of got used to it as I got older and I think it made me a better player.”

Tubaces won the league’s MVP last season and was the youngest player ever to do so in the FASA league.

Rob Beers, a former FASA Finals MVP, shared similar sentiments and added that playing for FASA carries on a legacy that was laid down when his Uncles played in the league.

“My uncles played here and that’s how I heard about the league,” Beers said. “It’s cool to see generations of my family playing here and to see it grow has been really cool to see.”

The league has also been a training ground for Filipino players to get connected with coaches in the Philippines to possibly play college or pro ball in the Philippines.

Gatmaitan said he usually gets calls throughout the season from coaches in the Philippines in search of players who can play overseas. Former Eagle Rock High School basketball player Alex Cabagnot played for FASA during the summer months and was able to get connected to pro and college coaches through the league.

Though COVID-19 has cut the league almost completely in half, FASA is slowly regaining the numbers that were lost during the pandemic. Elorde said he has big plans for the league in the near future.

“I’m hoping to get some of our best players and have a tournament of Filipinos from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and play against each other,” Elorde said. “I think it would be a great experience for the league and our players.”

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register 

Shohei Ohtani’s next start pushed back due to cracked fingernail

• July 2, 2023

ANAHEIM ― The cracked nail on Shohei Ohtani’s right middle finger hasn’t kept him out of the Angels’ starting lineup since the injury manifested in his start against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. To the contrary, he hit four home runs in four games to end the month of June.

The cracked fingernail will, however, push Ohtani’s next pitching appearance to Tuesday against the San Diego Padres, manager Phil Nevin announced Saturday.

Ohtani will now be opposed by San Diego Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove in the middle game of the three-game series. Angels right-hander Jaime Barría will start Monday against left-hander Blake Snell.

“We think it’s going to be fine,” Nevin said of Ohtani’s fingernail.

Despite the injury, Ohtani allowed one run in 6 ⅓ innings in the Angels’ 4-2 win over Chicago. He threw 102 pitches in all ― effectively a normal start ― and said afterward that “I came out of the game before it got too bad.”

By pitching Tuesday, Ohtani will have six days of rest between starts for just the second time this season. Ohtani had six days’ rest prior to his June 9 start at home against the Seattle Mariners. He pitched five innings in a no-decision that day.

For Barria, swapping places in the rotation with Ohtani offers him a quicker opportunity to rebound from his worst outing of the season. Barría allowed five runs in three innings Wednesday in the Angels’ 11-5 loss to the White Sox. He started on four days’ rest once this season and tossed five shutout innings against the Boston Red Sox on May 22.

Nevin said there will be no restrictions on Barría Monday.

“I think (Barría) is more effective when he’s out there more often,” Nevin said.

The switcheroo is certain to please executives at TBS. The network previously selected Tuesday’s game for its “Fourth of July Showdown” telecast. Analyst Ron Darling and play-by-play broadcaster Brian Anderson will call the game.

Nevin said left-hander Patrick Sandoval will start Wednesday’s game against the Padres as scheduled.

INJURY UPDATES

Matt Moore threw off a mound for the first time since he was placed on the injured list May 28 with a strained right oblique. The left-hander said he threw 15 pitches, all fastballs.

Infielder Brandon Drury was held out of the lineup for the second consecutive day because of a “jammed” shoulder.

Shortstop Zach Neto (oblique) took part in some light activities in the field prior to Saturday’s game.

ALSO

Major League Baseball announced that Angels Director of Sports Medicine/Head Certified Athletic Trainer Mike Frostad, was selected to the American League training staff for the All-Star Game July 11 in Seattle. … According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Friday’s game featuring brothers David Fletcher and Dominic Fletcher marked the first time an Angels player played against his brother in a game since May 12, 2014 when Cory Rasmus played against Toronto’s Colby Rasmus.

UP NEXT

Angels (LHP Reid Detmers, 1-5, 3.77 ERA) vs. Arizona (RHP Zac Gallen, 10-2, 3.02 ERA), Sunday, 1 p.m., Bally Sports West, 830 AM

​ Orange County Register 

Clippers bring back Russell Westbrook, trade for K.J. Martin

• July 2, 2023

While waiting for a trade involving James Harden to transpire, the Clippers made moves Saturday that assured themselves of a veteran point guard and a forward who brings youth to one of the oldest rosters in the league.

Russell Westbrook, a free-agent point guard, agreed to a two-year, $7.8 million deal that includes a player option for the second year and keeps him in a Clippers uniform, according to unnamed sources.

Later, the Clippers signed K.J. Martin, a hard-charging forward who played for the Houston Rockets last season. The Rockets exercised their team option on Martin and sent him to the Clippers for two future second-round picks. He is reported to make $1.9 million next season.

Westbrook had said in April that, as a free agent, he was looking forward to deciding his future for the first time in his career. It took two days for him to re-sign with a team that he “loved” playing for after 18 tumultuous months with the Lakers.

The Clippers, who did not possess Westbrook’s Bird rights, were limited in what they could offer the one-time league MVP and nine-time All Star.

Westbrook and Martin not only bring more Southern California ties to the team, but athleticism and energy. Martin played at Chatsworth Sierra Canyon and Westbrook attended Lawndale Leuzinger High.

Westbrook joined the Clippers in February and quickly found a comfortable fit in the locker room, where was welcomed by Paul George and Marcus Morris Sr., who had openly campaigned for the mercurial guard. He also found his place on the floor as the team’s starting point guard.

At age 34, Westbrook proved he could still run the offense, although turnovers (3.4 a game) were a problem at times. In 21 games, he averaged 15.8 points, 7.6 assists and 2.1 steals. He also stepped up during the first round of the playoffs when Kawhi Leonard and George were sidelined.

Should the Clippers acquire Harden, it would be the third time he and Westbrook played on the same team.

Martin, 22, saw action in all 82 games with the Rockets last season, starting 49 of them. The 6-foot-6 small forward posted career highs in points (12.7), rebounds (5.5), and minutes per game (28.0) as well as field goal percentage (.572). He also averaged better than 80% from within 3 feet of the rim.

Martin’s father, Kenyon, played for the Clippers in 2012.

Meanwhile, there wasn’t any news on Harden. The Philadelphia 76ers are exploring trades after the 10-time All-Star guard picked up his $35.6 million contract option for next season. The Clippers are targeted as a landing spot for Harden.

NEW FACES

The Clippers introduced their two draft picks – Kobe Brown and Jordan Miller – who will be part of the team’s Summer League squad that will play July 7-17 in Las Vegas. The team will be coached by Clippers assistant Dahntay Jones.

Jones said he liked what the young players, who have considerable college experience, bring to the team. He said Brown is a skilled ball handler and spot-up shooter, who knows how to play basketball “and that’s a skill in itself.”

Jones said Jordan knows “how to make his teammates better and that’s rare to find – a young player who is skilled in that area without getting direction.”

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register 

Cross cut down at Santiago Retreat Center in Silverado Canyon, investigators looking for suspect

• July 2, 2023

A 14-foot wooden cross at the Santiago Retreat Center was sawed down this week, leaving staff and counselors shocked while Orange County sheriff’s officials try to identify a suspect, authorities said Saturday, July 1.

Staff arriving at the 500-acre Christian retreat center in Silverado Canyon Thursday morning found that the cross, which had recently been dedicated during a retreat the Friday and Saturday before Father’s Day, had been vandalized during the first week of a vacation Bible camp hosting kids from kindergarten through the 8th grade, Mark McElrath, executive director of the center said in a statement Friday.

None of the more than 300 campers served during the first week of the camp were staying on the campus at night, McElrath said.

Officials called the Orange County Sheriff’s Department sometime Thursday afternoon, Sgt. Frank Gonzalez said. Investigators believe the vandalism occurred between 6 p.m. Wednesday and 6 a.m. Thursday.

Gonzalez said investigators were still looking into the matter as a possible hate crime, “but we’re still working on leads.”

“It’s still a mystery why an apparently hateful person destroyed the cross using a chain saw,” McElrath said in the statement.

He said the camp has 24-hour security, but it wasn’t known if that included surveillance cameras.

“We will replace the cross, of course,” McElrath said. “Friends of Santiago are already sending donations for a new cross.”

Father Glenn Baaten, chaplain of the Santiago Retreat Center, said he was saddened, “but perhaps not surprised in this day and age,” upon learning of the vandalism.

“We are praying for the soul of this person who cut down our cross,” he said.

Officials have set up a GoFundMe for donations to replace the cross.

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register 

Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw tests shoulder, still in ‘wait-and-see’ mode

• July 2, 2023

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Clayton Kershaw resumed throwing Saturday afternoon, playing catch in the outfield at Kauffman Stadium. But the likelihood of him making his scheduled start Monday seems low.

“It went fine,” Kershaw said. “Still no decision yet but good progress. Still kind of on the wait-and-see.”

Kershaw would not say how much relief he had gotten from an injection he received Thursday to treat inflammation in his pitching shoulder. After coming out of his Wednesday start after 79 pitches, his lowest since his first start of the season, Kershaw described his shoulder as feeling “a little cranky.”

Kershaw also said he has had “shoulder stuff” before, received injections for it before and pitched through it at times. The approaching All-Star break makes it less likely that the Dodgers will ask him to pitch through this flareup.

Manager Dave Roberts described Kershaw’s throwing session Saturday as “just okay” and said the Dodgers will have to make a decision Sunday on whether Kershaw can start Monday or not. He was also penciled in to start next Saturday against the Angels in the Dodgers’ final game before the All-Star break.

Sacrificing those two starts in order to give Kershaw an extended break seems a small price to pay to keep him healthy and strong for the long run. Kershaw has already made 16 starts and pitched 95⅓ innings, both team highs. The 35-year-old left-hander hasn’t made more than 22 starts or thrown as many as 127 innings in a regular season since 2019.

“Could he probably (pitch through it) next week? Yeah,” Roberts said. “But you’re trying to weigh how clean it is, how good it feels, versus like, is it okay to get a re-set? You know?”

If the Dodgers decide to put Kershaw on the injured list, he would be eligible to return for the first series after the All-Star break, July 14-16 in New York against the Mets.

The Dodgers optioned Michael Grove on Thursday, but the rookie right-hander did not join a minor-league team instead of reporting to the Dodgers’ training complex in Arizona. He would rejoin the team and start Monday if needed.

TAYLOR’S STATUS

Utilityman Chris Taylor is also in Arizona rehabbing his injured knee, according to Roberts. The manager said he didn’t expect Taylor to rejoin the Dodgers for their final homestand before the All-Star break and “(we’re) looking at a longer (absence) than we expected.”

“I don’t see him coming back before the All-Star break,” Roberts said.

Taylor came out of the game June 16 with the injury to his right knee and underwent an MRI the next day, which he said showed “wear and tear” and a bone bruise in the joint. He received a cortisone injection and returned to pinch hit in the both games against the Angels June 20 and 21. He went on the IL shortly after that.

ROSTER MOVES

Left-hander Julio Urias was activated from the injured list to start Saturday’s game. Urias had been sidelined since May 18 with a hamstring injury.

In order to make room for Urias on the active roster, left-hander Justin Bruihl was optioned to the minors.

Meanwhile at Triple-A Oklahoma City, second baseman Jahmai Jones exercised an opt-out clause in his contract and was given his release. Once a top prospect in the Angels’ system, Jones made the majors for three games with the Angels in 2020 and 26 games with the Baltimore Orioles in 2021.

The 25-year-old Jones was hitting .292 with OKC and ranked in the Pacific Coast League’s top 10 with a .427 on-base percentage and .969 OPS. He is a free agent now.

UP NEXT

Dodgers (RHP Tony Gonsolin, 4-2, 3.30 ERA) at Royals (RHP Brady Singer, 4-7, 5.88), 11:10 a.m. Sunday, SportsNet LA, 570 AM

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register 

2nd busload of migrants arrives in LA from Texas

• July 1, 2023

A second bus filled with migrants from Texas rolled into Union Station on Saturday afternoon, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass confirmed, adding that the group shipped to the state as a political stunt was greeted by a coalition of government employees and humanitarian aid workers.

“Though we were not formally notified, the mayor’s office became aware of the bus yesterday and mobilized,” said a statement from Bass’ staff.

The statement said the city was working with city and county workers plus “a coalition of nonprofit organizations, in addition to our faith partners, to execute a plan set in place earlier this year.”

The statement added: “The City of Los Angeles believes in treating everyone with respect and dignity and will do so.”

The busload included 41 migrants who made the trip from Brownsville, Texas, according to a  statement from The L.A. Welcomes Collective, a network of immigrant rights, immigration legal services providers, and faith organizations focused on migrant arrival rapid response.

The group greeted the migrants, offering them food, clothing, and legal immigration information, the statement added. L.A. Welcomes Collective staff was working to reunite the migrants with loved ones who live in Southern California.

“Independent of origin, mode of transportation or motive, Los Angeles is organized and ready to receive these asylum seekers when they get here.  If Los Angeles is their last destination, we will ensure this is the place where they get a genuine and humane reception,” stated Angelica Salas, Executive Director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA).  “As we approach the long 4th of July weekend, it is befitting to remember that migrants also know struggle and perseverance, and they too seek a better tomorrow where their lives will be valued and celebrated under the banners of justice and compassion.”

On June 14, 42 migrants were bused from the Texas-Mexico border to Union Station by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who proclaimed his state’s border region “overrun” and hinted that more shipments of immigrants could follow.

“Texas’ small border towns remain overwhelmed and overrun by the thousands of people illegally crossing into Texas from Mexico because of President Biden’s refusal to secure the border,” Abbott said in a statement. “Los Angeles is a major city that migrants seek to go to, particularly now that its city leaders approved its self-declared sanctuary city status. Our border communities are on the front lines of President Biden’s border crisis, and Texas will continue providing this much-needed relief until he steps up to do his job and secure the border.”

Abbott has indicated he was planning to continue such actions.

According to Abbott’s office, Texas has been charting buses to take migrants from Texas to locations including Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago and Philadelphia, and most recently adding Denver to the list of destinations. Since beginning the busing effort last spring, more than 21,600 migrants have been shipped out of Texas to “these self-declared sanctuary cities,” according to Abbott’s office.

Last month, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration said that three dozen migrants whom the state flew from the U.S. southern border to Sacramento on private planes all went willingly, disputing allegations by California officials that the individuals were coerced to travel under false pretenses.

The admission of responsibility only served to heighten tensions between DeSantis and Gov. Gavin Newsom, his frequent political sparring partner.

Also in June, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously passed a motion directing the city to draft a “Sanctuary City” ordinance that when passed would prohibit any city resources, property or personnel from being used for any federal immigration enforcement.

After the first busload arrived, members of the Los Angeles City Council launched an investigation into whether human trafficking and kidnapping were committed.

Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez introduced the motion, with her colleagues Nithya Raman, Monica Rodriguez and Hugo Soto-Martinez, to direct the City Attorney’s office to conduct the investigation.

In addition, a resolution was introduced calling upon L.A. County District Attorney George Gascón, California State Attorney General Rob Bonta and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to conduct similar investigations for possible crimes committed during the “political stunt.”

City News Service contributed to this report

This is a breaking story; watch for updates

​ Orange County Register 

NHL free agency: Ducks add forward Alex Killorn, defenseman Radko Gudas

• July 1, 2023

The Ducks went shopping on the opening day of free agency and added two 33-year-old veterans to help their young team develop.

One was a solid right-shot defenseman in Radko Gudas, and the other a proven scorer, left wing Alex Killorn, who ended up being pretty costly, signing a four-year contract worth $25 million on Saturday.

Killorn was a member of the two-time Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning, in 2020 and 2021, and is coming off a 27-goal, 64-point season, which were career highs.

The last-place Ducks had many missing elements in their lineup this past season – a long list, indeed – and one of the noticeable holes was a distinct physical presence.

They took an important step in alleviating that issue by signing a three-year deal worth $12 million with the 6-foot, 208-pound Gudas. Though the pact was agreed upon, the announcement was initially delayed because the contract still needed to be signed and filed with the league.

Gudas spent the past three seasons playing for the Florida Panthers after previous stops in Washington, Philadelphia and Tampa Bay. Of note, he was drafted by Tampa Bay in 2010 and would have overlapped with Ducks GM Pat Verbeek when Verbeek was in management with the Lightning. Verbeek also would have obviously been familiar with Killorn’s skill set and character in their time together in the organization.

Gudas is appealing to the Ducks in that he has a tough, physical style of play and a reasonable amount of skill. He’ll create space for everyone around him. A young defenseman playing in the NHL for the first time – or trying to find his way – needs a partner that will help provide some room. Gudas is that player.

The young Ducks defense corps will most certainly need that. Gudas was able to help the development of youngster Josh Mahura in Florida on the third pair this past season. The Panthers claimed Mahura on waivers from the Ducks before the start of the regular season, a good move for Florida, which went on to reach the Stanley Cup Final, and a blunder for Anaheim.

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register 

Angel City FC riding confidence into road game against Gotham FC

• July 1, 2023

It’s the time of season for NWSL teams when roster depth will be tested.

Wednesday’s Challenge Cup game was the first for Angel City FC without Julie Ertz and Alyssa Thompson, who have joined the U.S. women’s national team for World Cup preparations. On Sunday, Ali Riley joins the absence list as she joins New Zealand’s national team.

Including Sunday’s road game against NJ/NY Gotham FC (2:30 p.m., BSSC, Paramount+), Angel City has two games remaining before a three-week World Cup break. After the break, Angel City will play three games during the World Cup dates.

The World Cup absences will provide players like Madison Hammond a chance to settle into a larger role.

“Madison is so professional and she’s played different roles on the team this season and last season,” Riley said. “She is someone who is such a good teammate and has been working so hard. Those are the players that you want to have on a team. Those are the players you know are ready when their name is called. If they’re on the sideline, they’re giving you all their energy so that you can do your job.”

Hammond scored the opening goal in Wednesday’s 2-1 Challenge Cup win over San Diego Wave FC. The win improves Angel City’s unbeaten streak to three since Becki Tweed took over as interim coach.

“The confidence comes from our belief in each other and we have been consistent in performing in training for the past couple of weeks,” Hammond said.” You have to develop that level of consistency, competitiveness, and challenge each other to be better. Then you have moments like today (Wednesday) where players get opportunities and they’re ready to meet the moment.”

Gotham FC is also dealing with multiple World Cup absences, with Lynne Williams, Kristie Mewis and Kelly O’Hara selected to the U.S. national team.

“The question is how can we look at spaces that we want to target and hurt them,” Tweed said. “We prepare for moments like this. We prepare with a squad of players that can step in and do the roles. So it doesn’t change a crazy amount for us.”

Gotham defeated Angel City 2-1 in the season opener March 26. Gotham enters this week in fifth place in the league (21 points). Angel City is ninth (13 points).

Emslie, Endo available

Tweed said Thursday that Claire Emslie (hip) and Jun Endo (knee) will be on the trip and available for selection. Both players have missed multiple games due to injury. Endo, from Japan, is another Angel City player who will be departing for the upcoming World Cup.

Riley signs extension

Before departing for the World Cup with her native country New Zealand, Riley signed an extension with the club through the 2025 season.

The defender and team captain, who attended Harvard-Westlake High and Stanford University, joined Angel City ahead of the 2022 inaugural season.

Angel City FC at NJ/NY Gotham FC

When: 2:30 p.m. Sunday

Where: Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ

How to watch: Bally SoCal; Paramount+

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register