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| Kahit si Doug Kramer may Tiu-fever |
We should expect a slam bang affair, nothing short of a bonafide shootout with reigning PBA Most Valuable Player Mark Caguioa, former MVP Jayjay Helterbrand and the bevy of athletic wings they brought in going up against an odd yet exciting pair of high-scoring Gary David and another former MVP Willie Miller.
Here's KKS' top storyline picks for each team.
Air21 Express
We like the John Wilson pick and see this kid as the modern day "Kenneth Duremdes" in terms of being a legit up-and-coming PBA star who had the (mis)fortune of playing behind established stars (behind Mark Caguioa and Ronald Tubid in Ginebra). If Coach Franz Pumarenz could somehow work his magic on Noy Baclao and give him starters' minutes, they'll be on their way to being decent. Still needs a legit PG and C to make enough of a ripple.
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| Alaska MMMMEEEEEHHHNNN!!! |
Do not sleep on these Aces. What they lost in Tenorio's court vision, they made up with a balanced scoring attack led by JVee Casio. We also like the change-of-pace PG rotation with Casio starting and spitfire Raffy Reyes coming off the bench. Do not sleep on Raffy Reyes. He will f*cking dunk on you. Wait for Calvin Abueva. He will f*cking dunk on you AND pee on your Gatorade.
Barako Bull Energy Cola
They have the A-lister in bigs in Enrico Villanueva, Doug Kramer, Mick Pennisi and Jondan Salvador (there's also rookie Dave Marcelo who is another legit big man). They do not have a reliable go-to scorer. Danny Seigle is good for about five games out of 10 before he gets hurt or whatever. Josh Urbiztondo is going to have a blast in jacking up threes all night long.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
This team will score and electrify. They will run (undisciplined) teams to the ground. L.A. Tenorio will be the best PG ever to don a Ginebra jersey not named Robert Jaworski, Sr. or Johnny Abarrientos. Minutes will be a problem, as well as consistency and maybe outside shooting. They should really consider trading one of their many point guards or wings for a big man (hi Barako Bull).
GlobalPort Batang Pier
Seriously? David-Miller in the backcourt? Could've worked five years ago. Not sure if either could play a lick of defense good enough to stop the other elite scorers in the league. That, plus they are left with the temperamental Rabeh Al Hussaini to anchor the paint-- the guy only plays defense when he's fed the ball on offense.
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| Ano height mooooooooo |
Dribble drive. It's going to get even crazier with Chris Ross, Sol Mercado and Mac Cardona all running the floor and just blasting away. If Cliff Hodge is as good as advertised, he could be big as a Kelly Williams-type of hybrid forward for the Bolts. The "Asi to the ABL" is going to hurt them, it's up to SMART Gilas reserve JayR Reyes to prove himself now. And the retro jerseys. Oh my.
Petron Blaze Boosters
This is Coach Rajko Toroman's team. You are an idiot to think or believe otherwise. He will make it work. I believe in Coach T more than "Coach" O. Oh, and June Mar is going to be a beast by 2nd conference.
Rain or Shine Elastopainters
Seriously. Coach Yeng Guiao should sue whoever tagged Coach Chot Reyes as being the innovator of the "Dribble Drive." That's pretty much how the Elastopainters played their way deep into the playoffs and later the Governor's Cup title last season. Paul Lee/ Gabe Norwood drives to the rim-- if the shot's not there, a kickout to Ronjay Buenafe or Jeffrei Chan-- BOOM. Triple. Lee gets a screen from Belga, drives hard, finishes or-- you guessed it, kick out to Belga for another triple. DRIBBLE DRIVE folks. It's what they do. Plus, unlike SMART Gilas, this team plays tenacious and physical defense (the talent isn't always there though and not at par with Gilas' of course, but the system is).
San Mig Coffee Mixers
Season 2 of the Tim Cone project starts now. They lost point guard Urbiztondo to the Energy Colas for a future draft pick which leaves them with Jonas Villanueva (who should've been starting all along!) and Mark Barroca. How much has Barroca learned? Will PJ Simon play the PG spot again ala Rodney Santos? And will James Yap continue to go back to his roots and become that all-around superstar we've always envisioned him of being?
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| Will this be the year that Alapag steps aside for Castro? |
Now that Coach Chot Reyes and his fashionable ways has left to handle SMART Gilas duties full-time, Coach Norman Black will step in and try to bring back the Texters to the promised land starting with the defense of the Philippine Cup title. It's up to veteran and former MVP Jimmy Alapag to help make the transition from Coach Chot to Coach Black easier for his teammates, being the overall leader of the team. It's also nice to know that guys are recovering from their injuries-- Ryan Reyes, Jayson Castro and Kelly Williams, plus the added international exposure to Jarred Dillinger. There's also the ever-reliable Ranidel de Ocampo so this is still, in essence and overall team chemistry, the team to beat.
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