Overrated, much

When people think of the WWE’s John Cena, they picture him as a modern day Hulk Hogan. A guy who works his tail off for the business that he (presumably) loves and the fans that love him back regardless of his in-ring limitations (re: five moves of doom). That’s not Cena’s fault (he can actually wrestle old-school), but it’s the way he was or is being packaged and seemingly pushed down our throats that have skewed others’ perception which have led them to brand him as being overrated.

The same can be said for athletes in different disciplines: those with television friendly looks usually get more airtime than those who don’t, people who can work the mic, look good while doing a certain move but not everything else and so on.

In today’s PBA, there are a couple of names that I can easily throw around as being overrated. Not that they can’t play—some, if not most, actually could, but it’s the way that they have been built up by their respective coaches, teams, fans and the media for being something that they aren’t. Case in point: Danny Siegle. The so-called “savior” of Philippine basketball via this decade’s pre-SMART Gilas national team/s. Why we keep blaming Siegle is simple, his coaches flat out mentioned his non-inclusion in the final team for our loss (he was injured in an exhibition game). Right. He’s good, but not THAT good.

There’s also one Olsen Racela. Yes he earned mad love over the years as San Miguel’s veteran leader (thanks to Ron Jacobs’ tutelage), but he was never the best PG of his time (Abarrientos-Magsanoc-Quilban (had he continued to play in the PBA)-D Pumaren-Esplana) or even when his rivals retired, Jimmy Alapag came into the picture to pretty much make himself number 1 by default.

Here’s a short list of who I feel are some of the league’s more overrated active players. Again, I’m not saying they’re not good, just not on the Kili Kili Shot Holy Trinity of Allan Caidic-Mon Fernandez-Johnny Abbarientos territory.  And yes, some of them are PBA Mythical Five shoo-ins (which shows you the quality of judges and gameplay we have in this country and you wonder why this decade’s PBA national teams can’t place higher over none YouTube sensations from the rest of Asia)

To make it even more interesting, I’ll throw in who I feel should get at least half of the attention/ press time being given the players on the list.

PG

Sol Mercado

Having exchanged Tweets the other day, I just want to clarify that I’m not hating on Mercado at all (being a Santa Lucia-Meralco fan before moving on to join the B-Meg and Rain or Shine bandwagons simply because 1. how can you not be a fan of Tim Cone 2. I’m waiting if Yeng Guiao will ever give Paul Lee a tongue-lashing). But here’s the reality: yes, he can dazzle the crowd and lose defenders with that ultra-quick crossover of his. Yes, he drives hard to the basket and is almost impossible to stop. And yes, he is a streaky shooter from deep. BUT, put a solid defender on him like a Ryan Reyes, Ronald Tubid (if he ever stops with the theatrics), Jeff Chan or Denok Miranda who will be all up in his face and force him to move laterally, and I bet that nine of ten times he’ll put up an ill-advised shot/ force the action (I’ve seen him do it plenty of times at RoS and Meralco last conference). Also, if not for his size, he’s not that solid a defender one-on-one (we Filipinos know our basketball, and high steals average don’t mean shit, just shows you gamble a lot on defense and don’t care about your teammates’—which is a knock on my idol Dwyane Wade).

Oh, and on a side note. Throw in Jayjay Helterbrand as an overrated point guard. We all know he's a shooting guard. Now, you're finally seeing him play his position thanks to the genius of Coach Siot (wag na si Jong, sikat na yun).

Sleeper: Ryan Reyes

SG

Ui ako ulit MVP? Di si Arwind o Kelly? Yehey! Thanks fans!

James Yap

There was a time when everyone was sold on Yap. Hell, I’ve never seen a player ask for a screen and shoot OVER his own man AND the defender and MAKE the shot—from THREE POINT TERRITORY. But the minute he landed on the pro ranks, something changed in his game. He wasn’t battling as hard for loose balls, he was picking his spots a little too much on the floor and the biggest knock on him the last five years—he’s been settling for ill advised, “pogi” three point shots. In case you weren’t able to watch Yap play earlier in his career, think PJ Simon (who has been stealing Yap’s shine a bit) minus the flashy dribbling and drives but more accurate from almost everywhere on the court (save for the mysterious 4^th quarter cramping of course).

Sleeper: Gary David

SF

Gabe Norwood

A freakishly tall, athletic ball handler with an acceptable jumper will always be a rarity in the PBA. Are we taking him for granted with the recent influx of all these athletic wings? Are we setting the bar too high (set unfairly by the best damn Filipino player today Arwind Santos who has the same body type as Norwood but does so much more than the US NCAA alumna)? I say a little of yes. Even in the ongoing Philippine Cup, Norwood’s posting a steady diet of 10-10-5s but we’re not talking about him as much as rookie teammate Paul Lee. If Norwood wants to take the next step, he should work on his jumper and not try to simply outjump the competition every time down the floor (Hi Japeth!). Skills wise, guys like Jeff Chan, JC Intal, Ronald Tubid are more polished players but do not enjoy half the God given talents that Norwood has. That’s pretty much the same difference in skill enjoyed by Europeans over American players. They’re better and more polished, but you can’t teach athletic ability and blessings from the one above (jump higher, run faster, etc.)

Sleeper: Tony dela Cruz

PF

Jay Washington

How do you like the Petron Blaze Boosters with J-Wash as the “main man?” How about with Arwind Santos who is listed as a small forward, but spends so much time patrolling the paint on defense that he’s pretty much the de facto PF? Washington is another rarity in the PBA, but much like those who came before him that could do a little of everything (Jun Limpot), it doesn’t always translate to wins or means that you’re a great player. Plus, he has built a reputation as a guy who fades in the clutch and an absolute choker (don’t believe me? Google Jay+Washington+Choke and you’re bound to stumble upon a couple of Pinoy basketblogs such as FireQuinito.com among others).

Sleeper: Joe DeVance

C

Japeth Aguilar

Let me play my game! Release the Kraken!

With the way he plays, he’s bound to find more appreciation once he plays against guys near his size. I feel and understand Japeth, being a 6”0 tall guy with 5”3-5”5 friends some of who can’t even score a lay-up on a fastbreak. I'm always asked to play center even when I know I can blow by my smaller defenders with my pet crossover. I'm always asked to grab rebounds and wait my turn in the paint when I can shoot from deep. And whenever I do try to call my own number and bring the ball down, everyone would say I'm not playing along and I'm bullying them around (WTF). The one time I played against guys my size, I was able to play SG freely. Running around the floor, picking my spots and doing my best Rip Hamilton impersonation. That's why I’ve given up on Aguilar being the next Filipino big man. He’s not. He is a 6”9  small forward who would shine had he been recruited in the Chinese Basketball Association or somewhere where there are a lot of 6”7-10 forwards who are slower and less athletic to play against. Right now, he’s been unfairly reduced to a dunking, shot-blocking attraction and nothing more. I don't see him making a huge impact as Marlou Aquino or Asi Taulava did when they first came in. Think Rafi Reavis. That’s about it. When’s the last time Aguilar made an impact on a game? Yeah. Exactly.

Sleeper: Sonny Thoss

Again, being on this list doesn't mean that these guys aren't good basketball players (of course they are, they're in the PBA!). It's just that they are overrated/ hyped on a media/ fanbase level over other guys who are just as good/ even better but not tv friendly/ flashy/ sideshow-like.

Who are your overrated active players in the PBA?