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Basketball is a sport, generally played by two teams of five players on a rectangular court. The objective is to shoot a ball through a hoop 18 inches (46 cm) in diameter and mounted at a height of 10 feet (3.048 m) to backboards at each end of the court.
A team can score a field goal by shooting the ball through the basket being defended by the opposition team during regular play. A field goal scores three points for the shooting team if the player shoots from behind the three-point line, and two points if shot from in front of the line. A team can also score via free throws, which are worth one point, after the other team is assessed with certain fouls. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins, but additional time (overtime) is issued when the score is tied at the end of regulation. The ball can be advanced on the court by throwing it to a teammate, or by bouncing it while walking or running (dribbling). It is a violation to lift, or drag, one's pivot foot without dribbling the ball, to carry it, or to hold the ball with both hands then resume dribbling.
There are many techniques for ball-handling—shooting, passing, dribbling, and rebounding. Basketball teams generally haveplayer positions, the tallest and strongest members of a team are called a center or power forward, while slightly shorter and more agile players are called small forward, and the shortest players or those who possess the best ball handling skills are called a point guard or shooting guard. The point guard directs the on court action of the team, implementing the coach's game plan, and managing the execution of offensive and defensive plays (player positioning).
Basketball
History of Basketball in the Philippines
In grand festivities marking a big milestone, an all-time high 12 PBA ball clubs including three newcomers, boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, Gilas Pilipinas, the league think tanks, a bevy of beauties and an expected record crowd gather together under one giant roof in Bocaue, Bulacan to celebrate life.
It’s the celebration of the 40-year existence of the Philippine Basketball Association that has become a way of life for the Filipino nation.
As the league’s documentary film is fittingly entitled – “The PBA: A Nation’s Passion.”
Amidst a blaze of lights, sounds and colors, the PBA makes a big toast as it raises curtains for its Season 40 at the 55,000-seater Philippine Arena in Bocaue Sunday.
It’s a must-see event marked by several “firsts.”
For one, Pacquiao, a Philippine treasure, finally lives a long cherished dream of playing in the pro hard court, bannering the Kia Motors team versus Blackwater in the season-opening game at 3 p.m.
Crowd darling Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and MVP Group flagship team Talk n Text clash in the main game at 5:15 p.m.
Some 150 dancers perform amidst a spectacle of lights and sounds and the league walks down memory lane in a special video presentation during the elaborate rites starting at 1:30 p.m.
Another big highlight is the presentation of the national team that made the nation proud in its remarkable showing in the FIBA World Cup.
Then PBA Board chairman Patrick Gregorio declares the season open.
Pacquiao has promised to take a break from his training for his coming fight with Chris Alieri to play in this particular event and finally live his dream of competing as a PBA player.
The entry of Kia Motors and Blackwater, and NLEX’s takeover of Air21 have made the PBA a 12-team league, adding importance to the league’s milestone season.
The NLEX Road Warriors, a dominant franchise in the PBA D-League, make their own PBA debut against the GlobalPort Batang Pier on Tuesday over at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Special arrangements have been made to avoid traffic problem in going to the Philippine Arena located between the Marilao and Bocaue NLEX exits going to Baguio.
Kia, in coordination with Jam Liners, offers free rides to the playing venue and back to Manila. (SB)