Power surge: Meralco zaps Powerade, enters QF

The Franchise: Mac Cardona

Score one for the Hook, and how he proves yet again that he isn't the one-dimensional scorer most picture him to be. At least, not when matched against the PBA's elite scorer Gary David- the KKS Bataan Bomber.

By "Hook," we refer to Mac Mac Cardona who continuously leads the team that he has been billed "Franchise Player" of no matter the circumstances or odds. Just a few games ago, the Meralco Bolts were down 1-4 with import Jarrid Famous and were looking for yet another early exit-- a far cry from over-achieving, powerhouse sister team Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters.

Nino saves the day for Ginebra

Nino Canaleta: from high leaper
to streaky shooter

In a match billed as "Manila Classico" by the InterAKTV brain thrust (FireQuinito et al), basketball fans were treated to an exciting ball game that had its share of drama and suspense-- in the form of a bloodied Mark Caguioa who had to leave the game to get treatment for his boo-boo.

Game-wise, the Llamados and Gin Kings fought to a draw for about three and a half quarters before fizzling out in the final canto. While the commentators would have you thinking that it was more of a tight game given the talent on the floor, KKS argues that it was more because Ginebra import Jackson Vroman was riding the pine riddled with touch fouls.

Air21 Express: On the right track

Bet money that RJ's
taking over for Ren-Ren

With yesterday's 103-87 smashing at the hands of the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings, the Air21 Express have dutifully been eliminated from contention in the PBA Commissioner's Cup. Still, the young franchise was able to salvage a respectable 3-6 win-loss slate, a vast improvement over their abysmal and forgetful Philippine Cup debut.

Granted, much of the improvements should be credited to 6"11 import Marcus Douthit and new recruits Bitoy Omolon and Mark Isip. All three brought that rare championship air that only the coaching staff led by Franz Pumaren and aging veteran ren-Ren Ritualo could really relate to. Their starters from the Philippine Cup: RJ Jazul, James Sena, Paolo Hubalde and Magi Sison are all amateur upstarts at best while champion San Beda alumni Pong Escobal and Ogie Menor were simply fortunate enough to have played alongside a powerhouse collegiate import in Sam Ekwe (wonder where he is now).

Petron fizzles out

Santos and Cabagnot failed
to deliver for Petron

So much for the Petron Blaze Boosters' Commissioner's Cup run.

So much for Alex Cabagnot's steady rise as the league's number one point guard.

So much for Arwind Santos winning his first Most Valuable Player award.

Claws out for Ginebra's Cool Cat

Cool Cat: Never too late for a re-emergence

A few years ago, Mike Cortez was hailed as the country's premier point guard while playing for the De La Salle University Green Archers and leading them to a string of Finals appearances. At 6"0 170 lbs., Cortez wasn't just PBA ready, he was THE guy looked at as the standard bearer for the new generation following Johnny Abarrientos' off-court struggles.

During those days, we were settling for Olsen Racela, Boyet Fernandez and even Jason Webb-- guys who, on their best day, may not even be able to keep Cortez from driving into the lane.

But how quickly one Finals series changed everything for Cortez.

Deep, versatile and skilled

Payagan ka kaya ng SMC?

The 16-man pool has officially been released to the public, this is no longer a "wish list" but the actual names of the guys that SMART Gilas 2 head coach Chot Reyes wants on his team. The heat will be on their respective teams to deliver (specially the San Miguel camp who will be cast as unpatriotic if they do otherwise), so this is probably as good as it can get for Team Pilipinas.

Just a question though, did Coach Chot settle for old ties rather than getting the best available talent? Here's this writer's take on the final SG2 training pool.

No room for the Hook?

Hay brad, ano pa ba kelangan kong
gawin para masali sa Gilas?

The way things are going, the Meralco Bolts’ franchise player- MacMac Cardona needs to go on a scoring binge ala KKS Bataan Bomber Gary David to ever be considered into the National team training pool. 

In 2009, Cardona made a case for a spot in the National team (that ultimately went to Cyrus Baguio who then proceeded to make a superstar out of himself in FIBA play) by going berserk for the Talk ‘n’ Text Tropang Texters. They weren’t the dominant team that they are the last two years, but they were damn good with Captain Hook proving to be an elite scorer in the PBA. 

PBA: Bayan ng Superstars

A few years ago, the PBA's KKS Vince McMahon came up with a brilliant marketing ploy to promote the country's premier basketball association by tagging it as "PBA: Bayan ng Superstars."

Back then, they "only" had the Big J

However, this was met with a ton of criticisms from die-hards to casual fans alike. The league was saying goodbye to its face, Alvin Patrimonio at the time, and old reliables Kenneth Duremdes, Johnny Abarrientos, Marlou Aquino and Danny Ildefonso were either playing below par or just plain injured. It was a far cry from the old years with the Jaworskis, Fernandez, Cos and Caidics. The newbies (mostly Fil-Ams) were still getting their feet wet. The emergence of the Metropolitan Basketball Association also made it difficult for the PBA to win new fans.

Texters stay on top

No Chot and Ali? No problem.

TNT: all they do is win

True to form, the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters (6-2) dispatched the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (3-5) in an out of town game after breaking out in the second quarter for good.

Both teams started sluggishly, probably trying to get a feel of the court and/ or trying to impress the local crowd. The telling point of course, was when Gabe Norwood and Paul Lee sat down, and Jimmy Alapag pretty much took over in two plays.

San Miguel Gilas: The dream

Can't win FIBA games on style points

Philippine basketball fans know this by now though some have a hard time grasping its notion, the SMART Gilas Pilipinas basketball team is owned by Manny V. Pangilinan, its head coach is Talk 'n' Text's Chot Reyes, and most of its players will be from the very same PBA team.

There are no arguments to be made there, it's quite clear now that there are two basketball powers in the country (which we love as long as they keep it clean) and that. much like it was San Miguel's turn a decade ago, the ball is now with Team MVP. Simply put, if they can bring in players of equal caliber without jumping ship or having to stoop and beg their rivals, then so be it. Fortunately enough, this country is stacked with basketball talent and that there will always be a star (or more) who are not under their employ.

Number 19

Hall of Famer

Last night, the Powerade Tigers (who lost 100-102 to the Alaska Aces) retired the jersey of one Kenneth "Captain Marbel" Duremes in a half time ceremony that lacked the superstar fanfare that a player of his caliber deserves.

Patriots want it all; Beermen ready

Alexander: Taking his talents to AirAsia

The way things are going in the ASEAN Basketball League, don't be surprised if it starts capturing a bigger market among local basketball fans. With the way ex-PBA stars are starting to jump ship (John Ferriols and Roger Yap being the biggest so far) and teams tapping into known PBA imports.

Leading the pack are the AirAsia Philippine Patriots, backstopped by super import Anthony Johnson (Coca Cola, Santa Lucia) who pretty much is the designated "main man" on offense. He's paired with last season's ABL Best Import awardee Nakeia Miller, but that combo may have seen its last days with reports  of former Ginebra muscle Chris Alexander all set to take Miller's place for the Playoff-run.

SMART Gilas Tropang Texters and friends

SMART Gilas na ako! SMART Gilas na ako!

The writing has been on the wall ever since the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and Team MVP opted to have Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters' head coach Chot Reyes to man the SMART Gilas 2 basketball program.

Reyes' initial SG2 wishlist features the core of his Texters, with veterans Jimmy Alapag, Kelly Williams and KKS Doctor Ranidel de Ocampo leading the pack followed by FIBA first timers Jayson Castro, Ryan Reyes (wasn't able to play in 2009) and Larry Fonacier. They will be supported by Alaska's Sonny Thoss, Powerade's KKS Bataan Bomber Gary David, Marcio Lassiter and JVee Casio plus old reliable, naturalized center Marcus Douthit. Asi Taulava is also reportedly on the wishlist, but he'll probably be 100 years old by the next FIBA Asia tournament (bless his soul).

Gabe and Jeff resurface; RoS wins anew

After an abysmal start to the Commissioner's Cup eliminations, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters look like they're back on track, winning yet another game by their trademark physical (borderline thug-like) defense and streaky outside shooting.

Import Duke Crews remains to be the shortest import of the lot, but boy does this monster fight for every inch on the hard court. The coaching staff also seem to have made the correct adjustments, taking the ball out of Crews' hands and spreading the offense out and putting the pressure on its locals to deliver.

Tonight, Gabe Norwood and Jeffrei Chan did just that.

Flopping. More fun in the Philippines.

Vlade Divac, Manu Ginobli and Ronald Tubid all step aside.

Pennisi: Pang-Famas. No, Oscar-worthy.

Mick Pennisi puts them all to shame with this Oscar worthy performance. Watch the video after the jump.

SMART Gilas 2: PG candidate heavy

Don't look now, but there might be
no room for Alapag w/ SMART Gilas 2

Here's a tough nut to crack, do you drop Alapag to make room for younger PGs? Don't bet on it. Not with Alapag playing like the MVP he is this season, and definitely not with his Talk 'n' Text head coach Chot Reyes manning the helm for SMART Gilas 2.

Still, would it really be that much of a problem if we were to take Alapag, future Hall-of-Famer, out of the SG2 PG list?

This writer thinks and believes that we'll be just fine with the younger guys listed below who are just as SMART Gilas 2 worthy as the Pinoy Basketball Icon (when it's all said and done, Alapag should be mentioned in the same breath as Abarrientos, and just a notch above Hector Calma):

Ginebra's Vroman: Great Player, Bad Fit (?)

We christen thee: The KKS Wolverine

Days since replacing 7"0 import Chris Alexander for the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings, 6"8 FIBA star Jackson Vroman continues to fail to win over ka-barangays with his fiery style of play. It's not even a matter of putting up the numbers (he almost had a triple double the last time out but the spotlight went to Rudy Hatfield's vintage 30-points, 14 rebounds performance), it's about winning-- something Vroman hasn't had much success with (2-2 card).

But should Vroman really be replaced as some ka-barangays have been calling for? Is he that much of a dud?

Our answer is no.

A matter of pride

Miller: too good not
to play for a title

The Barako Bull Energy continue to win behind its veteran superstar cast bannered by National team standouts Willie Miller, Mick Pennisi, Danny Seigle and Wyne Arboleda. There are also other stellar names such as Ronald Tubid, Dorian Pena and Don Allado who are putting in the work all for the same cause.

To win.

But we've seen this movie before. Different title but with the same script, cast and major players. We know where this is going, and chances are, it will never end with a title for any of the players currently making strides in the PBA. One (or two) will be traded back to a powerhouse squad where he rightfully belongs. The rest would be milked until they are able to reach that same level, and sent off to the highest bidder.

Bono sa PBA

Bono: Waiting for another shot

Update 03/18/12: Ken Bono, according to Avatar Talents which he is part of, has been signed by the B-Meg Llamados under coach Tim Cone

It almost happened.

Air21 Express almost closed in on a deal to bring back former UAAP Most Valuable Player Ken Bono to the PBA after disastrous stints with Alaska, San Miguel, Coca Cola and Barako Bull.

But it didn't push through. Blame it on Internet rumors getting out of hand and crossing the realms of reality, or Bono's long bout with conditioning. Arguably the best basketball talent off the Adamson ranks not named Kenneth Duremdes, Bono is stuck playing in the ABL with the Bangkok Cobras-- a place where only non-PBA level players or those who have yet or have passed their primes should be banished to.

B-Meg Llamados: Up to the task

No questions asked.
This is Cone and Yap's team now.

Slowly but surely, future Hall of Famer and current two-conference-old B-Meg Llamados coach Tim Cone is taking control of the team as-a-whole. Altering its genetic make-up from the league's isolation-heavy posterboys, Cone has transformed the Llamados into a more balanced squad that puts an onus on team play.

It wasn't easy, but they are starting to reap the benefits of the seeds that they've been sowing at a short period of time. Rookie Mark Barroca is slowly emerging as a great, change-of-pace point guard who Cone doesn't have problems with playing exclusively in the 4th over his starters at the position.

From all angles: Texters look unstoppable

Dillinger and Fonacier: TNT's "other" stars

Last season, before the wheels started to fall off in the telling Governor's Cup, the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters was dominating the league in the first two conferences. Not only did they win bot Philippine and Fiesta Cup, but they did so in a dominating fashion that made other teams look like guest JV squads.

The Texters' Troika of veteran sage Jimmy Alapag, sturdy and reliable Ryan Reyes and vast-emerging star Jayson Castro were running the opponents off the hardcourt. That, plus whenever the KKS Doctor Ranidel de Ocampo felt like dropping 20 and 10s, pretty much spelled doom for the rest of the PBA.

Looking for the right fit

Six games into the conferences and we've more or less established which teams have meshed well with their respective imports and those who have not.

Leading the pack are returnees Adam Parada of Alaska and Earl Barron of Meralco, followed by Marcus Douthit of Air21, Denzel Bowles of B-Meg, Rodney White of Barako Bull, Jackson Vroman of Ginebra, Nick Fazekas of Petron, Dwayne Jones of Powerade, Duke Crews of Rain or Shine and Donnel Harvey of Talk 'n' Text.

KKS Big Daddy Douthit
unstoppable on the block

Marcus Douthit, Air 21
A finesse big man who is pretty much the most versatile of the lot. He can run, score, rebound and intimidate-- all at 7 feet. He's not a locker room cancer or barks orders to his young teammates, and has the international pedigree to command double teams and know what to do in different scenarios. While the acquisition of champion-level guys like Bitoy Omolon and Mark Isip have helped the Express a lot this conference, it's Douthit who is leading the way with his steadying presence.

Menta-Lee checked out

It's not just Paul Lee.

The super rookie who opened a lot of eyes with his unforgiving, never-before-seen cocky style of play that was nothing short of "controlled relentless" since Mark Caguioa's early years in the PBA.

Kung 6"10 lang si Crews,
halimaw na import to

It's not even Gabe Norwood, who continues to frustrate us all with all his physical gifts that are not being put to use. The thing that irks Rain or Shine fans the most is that, we've seen flashes of that "dominant" Norwood. He can drive, play lockdown defense and even string together a couple of jumpers every now and then.

It's the team as a whole, the personnel on the court and bench, and the decision to ride an undersized import through thick and thin.

Lassiter, David ambush Petron in Legazpi

Pinoy Jordan, Pippen and a pocket-sized Toni Kukoc

The way things are going, the Chicago Bu, erm, Powerade Tigers are on their way to another impressive run this Commissioner's Cup behind the torrid shooting of KKS Bataan Bomber and super rookie Marcio Lassiter. In last night's game, the Tigers pretty much caught the Petron Boosters with their pants down and just slaughtered them from one end of the Legazpi City basketball court to the other.

With Tigers' import Dwayne Jones proving to be too much for counterpart finesse big man Nick Fazekas, David and Lassiter pretty much cherry-picked their way to open and uncontested jumpers finishing with 25 and 23, with Lassiter adding 11 boards on plenty of weak-side rebounding.

Love him or hate him, RESPECT the Hook

Respeto! Ang kailangan ko.
Kung di nyo bibigay nanakawin ko.
- Ghetto Doggz

While this writer belongs to the proud De La Salle system (spent more years there than with the Royal, Pontifical University of Santo Tomas so go figure) and has always held one Mac-Mac Cardona in high regard, it is quite refreshing to see that the PBA’s lead “villain”, outside of KKS Vince McMahon/ PBA’s San Miguel Corporation’s Noil Eala, is finally being rewarded with the respect he deserves.

A fierce competitor often branded as a ballhog—Cardona has always been on the wrong end of popularity contests since coming to the league in 2005. Known for his unforgiving, assassin-like ways, Cardona was coming off a stellar collegiate and amateur career that most of his peers and now superstars James Yap, Rico Villanueva, JC Intal and even L.A. Tenorio could only dream of.

The Adventures of Super Bitoy continues

Super Bitoy: Proof that hard work pays off

Four games into the Commissioner's Cup and Air21's small forward Nelbert "Bitoy" Omolon is starting to turn heads with a couple of solid performances. Granted, his numbers took a hit in losses versus Petron and Bmeg after a sterling debut against Barako Bull, but Omolon quickly turned things around by leading the Express to a surprising 89-78 victory over the lethargic defending champions, Talk 'n' Text.

Being a long time Santa Lucia fan, seeing Omolon follow in the successful steps of ex-Realtors Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes of Talk 'n' Text and Joseph Yeo and Denok Miranda (who has established himself as the Wyne Arboleda of this generation) of Petron is a joy to hear. Not only is one of the more solid contributors of Santa Lucia's last title squad playing big minutes, but he is now enjoying time in the limelight after years of hard work and adjusting his game to fit the PBA style of play.

Roger Yap: From the PBA to the ABL

Kung patapangan ang labanan,
di ka dehado kay Roger Yap

Joining the likes of serviceable PBA veterans such as John Ferriols and Eddie Laure (who both share the distinction of being one time Metropolitan Baskebtall Association Most Valuable Players), B-Meg Llamados point guard Roger Yap has opted to suit up for the San Miguel Beermen in the ASEAN Basketball League.


We’re not talking about an out of shape basketball player here (SMB’s Junjun Cabatu) or guys who couldn’t hack it in the pros because of height issues (SMB’s Froilan Baguion, Bangkok Cobras’ Jai Reyes and Marvin Cruz) or just players who are not good enough to be household names on the elite level (AirAsia’s Ardy Larong, Saigon Heat’s Ron Capati) to name a few. This is a guy who was putting up solid, clutch numbers and could take over games for the Llamados whenever his fellow Yap—James, would struggle/ shrivel in the limelight. 

ABL: San Miguel and AirAsia get chippy

AJ: high scoring import for Air Asia

In a battle of ASEAN Basketball League title favorites, the San Miguel Beermen emerged victorious over Filipino rivals AirAsia Patriots, 68-66 but not without suffering an embarrassment with the ejection of guard Aris Dimaunahan who committed a hard foul on AA import Anthony Johnson. This fracas ultimately led to a bench clearing, punches throwing incident that puts our brand of basketball in bad light.

We're all for competition and taking things seriously, but there's no room for unprofessionalism in the game of basketball. Specially with a growing league such as the ABL and with this country's role in it as the overall pioneers or gurus. It's not a secret that we Filipinos, the Patriots the last three and Beermen this year, are the ABL's ambassadors. Trying our very best to share our knowledge of the game with our neighbors.