ABL collision course: San Miguel, AirAsia

Seven games (for the defending champions Thailand Slammers anyway) into the 3rd season of the ASEAN Basketball League's and this writer can already see the writing on the wall. The entry of another team from the Philippines, in the form of the San Miguel Beermen, has pretty much sealed the deal for a title showdown with back-to-back finalists (and season one champs) AirAsia Philippine Patriots.

That's not a knock on the Slammers or the current standings leader, the Malaysia Dragons, but something that people are pretty much sold on from here on out. It's almost as predictable as the UAAP season has been the last few years, with everyone knowing that it's going to be Ateneo de Manila University and Far Eastern University slugging it out for the title year in and year out (or until the De La Salle alumni go back to their tried and tested winning formula of picking high school Fil-Ams from the West Coast).


Head to head, the Glen Capacio-coached Patriots enjoy the privilege of having two of the league's best or tried and tested imports in hard working, agile big Nakiea Miller and the sharp shooting Anthony Johnson. What they lack in local starpower, they make up for with solid names like Eddie Laure, Ardy Larong and Al Vergara.

On the other side of things, the Beermen have Darlon Johnson and Douglas Thomas, complemented by PBA veterans Junjun Cabatu (who should really be playing in the PBA given his unique skillset and bodytype-- hey, he'd fit right in with Yeng Guiao's Rain or Shine), Froilan Baguion (who leads the ABL in steals and assists), RJ Rizada and Norman Gonzales. And as though that weren't enough, they also enjoy having promising Cebuano big man Junmar Fajardo and the matinee idol looking Chris Banchero (he has yet to play due to injury, but the reviews are solid) on the payroll.

Honestly, if only they could broadcast the game, say, on AKTV or somewhere NOT NBN 4, this league could steal some of the PBA's thunder given the international level of play (no matter how brazenly poor it could be at times-- almost threw a bounce pass on my television while watching the Saigon Heat. Good lawd they need Pinoy imports for sure).

Oh, and if these two teams face off in the Finals, I'm pulling for the Beermen. If only to keep SMC happy, and not get them all interested in pulling out of the PBA and moving all of their teams over to this budding league.