Gilas can't win without Douthit; loses to B-Meg

In what could be the most surprising (and entertaining) game so far this Commissioner's Cup, the undermanned/ injury-riddled B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados handed the Smart Gilas Pilipinas National Team its first loss in six games, winning 98-90 in overtime.

And while you could easily say that SG lost due to naturalized center Marcus Douthit's 3rd quarter ankle sprain which led to big boy minutes for 6"9 beanpole Greg Slaughter, consider that B-Meg was playing without top gunner James Yap, point guard Jonas Villanueva and enforcers/bigs Rafi Reavis, Don Allado and Jondan Salvador.

Chippy: thoughts on Bolts' 89-86 win over Llamados

My apologies for the late entry, but this hard-earned victory for the Meralco Bolts showed that this team is starting to build a character far different from what was originally envisioned (which I believe is for this team to be Chris Tiu's once he decides to enter the PBA and be its new marketing gem. Requiring it to be as clean cut as possible, thus all the charity work).

Smart Gilas' bigs needs to do their homework

Imagine a world wherein PBA players were committed in playing for flag and country first instead of money and fame-- where the elder statesmen, the "kuyas" or established superstars would gladly reach out to the young ones and help them with their games. That would certainly help improve our chances in international tournaments and producing top tier talents.

Who's next?

It's always an advantage when your line-up has two promising big men sitting on the bench and learning behind a solid naturalized post presence who just so happens to stand at least SIX inches taller than his rivals in the paint.

Smart Gilas Pilipinas now touts an unblemished 5-0 win loss slate, and has yet to be "tested" be it by the Philippine Basketball Association's pro teams' "BETTER style of play" or its fancied "physicality." Seriously, they have fought close matches, but even the game against Alaska was a wash when head coach Tim Cone opted to play his second unit instead of his usual Cyrus Baguio-L.A. Tenorio backcourt.

Thoughts on Smart Gilas' ass whooping of San Miguel

Wow.

We all knew that Smart Gilas was cohesive, but no one told me that they were all set to unleash the worst beating of the Commissioner's Cup to a powerhouse (on paper) San Miguel squad. Granted, the Beermen are still in the middle of a rebuilding/ retooling phase with new recruits Rabeh Al Hussaini, Nonoy Baclao and Rey Guevarra, but no one saw or expected them to lose by FORTY ONE points (109-68).

Battle of PBA's most popular teams: B-Meg wins over Ginebra, 96-89

With all due respect to the San Miguel Beermen (who's pretty much the Lakers/ Celtics of the PBA with its chamionship pedigree), PBA fans were treated to a showdown of the league's most popular teams-- Ginebra and B-Meg.

Norwood still out of it, Rain or Shine wins 3rd straight

Despite being named "Best Player of the Game" in today's win over Gary David and the Powerade Tigers, Gabe Norwood (14 points, 6 rebounds) continues to struggle to find his rhythm in RoS head coach Yeng Guiao's system-- which is quite surprising given the Fil-Am's impressive credentials the last two years.

First look at the new Air21 Express

We finally caught a glimpse of the new-look, suddenly veteran-laden, Air21 Express in their out-of-town game against the Talk N Text Tropang Texters earlier this evening. Starting for "Team Ube" were Wynne Arboleda, Jay-R Reyes, import (???) Robinson and new recruits Dondon Hontiveros and Dorian Pena-- a team that now teems with championship/ Philippine national squad pedigree following a "lopsided" deal with San Miguel just last Wednesday.

Trade aftermath, players who'll gain/ lose stock

Now that the dust has settled and the smoke has finally cleared, here's my take on the players who are most likely to gain/ lose from the Air21-San Miguel blockbuster (read: semi-lopsided) deal that went down just a few days ago that sent this year's top 3 picks (Rabeh Al Hussaini, Noynoy Baclao and Rey Guevarra) to San Miguel for beloved veterans (Dondon Hontiveros, Danny Seigle, Dorian Pena and Paul Artadi).

Fair trade? San Miguel acquires 2010 Top Rookies

After being turned down by no less than PBA commissioner Chito Salud, the San Miguel Beermen were at it again this time offering Paul Artadi, Dondon Hontiveros, Dorian Pena and Danny Seigle for Air21's prized rookies Noynoy Baclao, Rabeh Al Hussaini and Rey Guevarra.