Whatever happened to Paul Lee

Asan na ung Angas ng Tondo?

Basketball is a team sport, it is not played by any certain individual no matter how dominant he may be on the hard court. A guy can score 100 points, average 50 for his career and still have only about a handful of rings while other, lesser talented individuals win more than you have fingers (Wilt Chamberlain: Bill Russel). There are times however, when these "superstars" stand out just because of what they can do and how others need to adjust to them.

For the San Mig Coffee Mixers, there's James Carlos Yap. The 2x PBA MVP who has become so unparalleled that it took a highly-motivated, vastly improved Jireh Ibanes of the Rain or Shine Elastopainters (with some help from today's "loose" PBA officiating that allows holds, grabs, bumps and what not) to keep him at bay (not even stop him, just enough to keep him from blowing up and dropping 30 points). Yap has been the barometer for his team in the on-going series between the Mixers and Elastopainters. When he's off, they lose, and the only time they won with him having an awful game (Game 5), it took a concerted effort among his teammates to do so.

#LetAbuevaBeAbueva

If a guy gives you 100% on the floor,
how can you afford to get mad at him

It's funny how a lot of people, Alaska Aces "fans" or not, were quick to call out Aces' rookie Calvin Abueva for his now famed "fumble" of the basketball when he chose to take matters into his own hands to try and cut a 3 point deficit to 1 in the closing seconds of yesterday's 99-95 loss to the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters.

The original play designed by Coach Luigi Trillo called for a three from JVee Casio (who was blowing hot and cold yesterday-- mostly cold in the 1st three quarters before he realized that he needed to start putting up shots). There were other options as well, but Abueva was the only guy who the Texters "allowed" to receive the basketball. Abueva, mindful of his spotty three point shooting, chose to go hard to the rim versus Jarred Dillinger but ended up dribbling the ball against his knee for the turnover.

Joe-Ping come up big for Mixers

Pingris: Laban!

The San Mig Coffee Mixers live to fight another day as they triumphed over the Rain or Shine Elastopainters in last night's grind-it-out slugfest known as Game 5 of the PBA Philippine Cup Semifinals.

Led by a defiant Marc Pingris who started at center once again (a ploy used by Coach Tim Cone to erase the Elastopainters' pick-and-roll advantage), the Mixers came out swinging. Not with jabs, but with haymakers all designed to force the action inside. On the flipside, the Elastopainters were settling for one too many long balls as the Mixers did a yeoman's job in clogging up the paint. It also didn't help the Elastopainters' cause that they opted to go for a more perimeter-oriented starting five (Chris Tiu, Jeffrei Chan, Gabe Norwood, Larry Rodriguez and Beau Belga) and took too long to adjust.

Yeng Guiao 3, Tim Cone 1

Uhm, hi Coach Tim. My name is Jonas.
Read the plaque. KTNXBYE.

At some point, you'd have to raise some concerns about San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone and his ability to bring out the best from his players. We know that he can coach the Xs and Os, we know that he can work wonders, but his Rain or Shine counterpart Yeng Guiao sure as hell is making him look amateur-ish this series.

There's the over-reliance on his starters, failing to draw up any other play for any other guy who just so happens to be open on the floor. The ball movement is slow and predictable, the offense is always run through 1) James Yap 2) PJ Simon 3) Mark Barroca and that's pretty much it. Joe DeVance is there, but he only gets his touches when he's the one bringing the ball up (have to give the man props for trooping to the paint, but still). Where's JC Intal? Where's the bench-- they still have guys that can contribute beginning with the returning Jonas Villanueva, big man Yancy de Ocampo (who appears to have lost whatever hard-earned confidence Cone had in him early this Philippine Cup), rookie Aldrech Ramos and Wesley Gonzales.

Texters dominant over gun-shy Aces

Machine Gun Kelly

This was as ugly a semifinals basketball game could get.

Players from both Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters and the Alaska Aces were jittery, they were over eager and looked to be out of their collective wits on the floor to start. Thankfully, PBA MVP and the heart and soul of the Texters' attack-- Jimmy Alapag, got the starting nod from Coach Norman Black and decided to take over the game without putting up points.

Alapag went to work early, looking for his bigs and making them work the Aces' frontline relentlessly. Kelly Williams, another former PBA MVP, shone thanks to Alapag always making sure to keep him involved in the offense. The adjustment made by Coach Black was clear: make the Aces' prized big man Sonny Thoss work hard on defense.

Building PBA San Miguel Gilas

Sila? Lalaro sa SMART Gilas? WEH.
San Miguel Gilas pa, pwede.

We already know the story and no matter how frustrating and "head-scratching" it may be, we are bound to see another FIBA-bound Philippine men's basketball team that features only half (a third even) of the league's best players (if any, depending on their availability).

Fortunately for us, we live in a world of Freedom of Speech and Expression. This allows us to conjure such discussions that may or may not see the light of day. It's not a secret, the PBA has allowed its players to be on loan to the national team-- depending on their respective mother team's of course. That's why Arwind Santos, arguably the PBA's best two-way basketball player the last three-four years, will not wear PILIPINAS on his chest any time soon (unless he gets traded elsewhere).

So, in the name of Christmas cheer, here's our "fantasy" All-San Miguel "Gilas" basketball team which looks to be pretty stacked on all fronts (making it even more frustrating):

Mental Toughness key for Mixers

Instead of working the refs,
Mixers need to go to work

The San Mig Coffee Mixers blew out the Rain or Shine Elastopainters just a few days ago, everyone thought that it would help turn the series in their corner and that they were in control. Well the "Nightmare on Christmas" happened, as the Elastopainters easily and handily returned the favor and sacked the Mixers in a demoralizing 98-72 fashion.

Elastopainters' head coach Yeng Guiao was right on two accounts: that his team had "more stoppers than they (Mixers) have scorers (James Yap and PJ Simon)" and also that the "burden of adjustments" fall squarely on Mixers' head coach Tim Cone et. al. There's no other way to go about it, it seems as though all the Elastopainters have to do to win the series is to "stay the course" which is to play to their trademark: aggressive, physical and relentless style. When they're sticking to the Mixers, hustling for the basketball and doing the little things such as Jireh Ibanes getting into Yap's face even when the 2x PBA MVP isn't even the focus of a play, it will translate to an Elastopainter victory no matter how close/ far the scores are.

As for the Mixers, they have no one else to blame but themselves.

Young, wild and free

Kalma lang mga brad,
i-guest ang Gilas sa GGV!

"We're just having fun, we don't care who sees... living young, wild and free." - Wiz Khalifa

So it's a Sunday morning and we're brushing up on the latest on the SMART Gilas men's basketball program-- specifically it's ever-changing roster. We've grown weary of all the drama that Team San Miguel keeps putting out there, so let's just not talk about the "what if's" and just go with who we have at the moment.

Enter the SMART Gilas "cadet pool"-- collegiate stars who would probably enter the league not until two or three years from now. Seriously, this team looks more like the NCAA All Star counterpart of the then UAAP-heavy selection of the original Gilas program bannered by Chris Tiu and JVee Casio. Below is a look at the possible roster for the coming Dubai and Hong Kong pocket tournaments:

Ready for a battle

From one King Warrior to another

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a series.

San Mig Coffee Mixers head coach Tim Cone stepped up to the plate to once again prove why he is arguably the league's best bench tactician (which was only in jeopardy the last couple of years because of the rise of now SMART Gilas head coach Chot Reyes), making the correct adjustments to stifle the Rain or Shine Elsatopainters' attack and equalize their PBA Philippine Cup semifinals showdown 1-1.

Of course, credit goes to hurting star James Yap for coming up big and knocking down shots while appearing as though he's hardly broken a sweat. The Mixers won 106-82 behind Yap's explosive 34 points built around an avalanche of long range shots while getting able and ample support from Mark Barroca, Joe DeVance (our pick as series X-factor for the Mixers) and PJ Simon.

SMART Gilas: The Filipino Dream

This is a public call-to-action for the country's premier basketball players. There are other sports out there (football is thankfully ever-growing around these parts) that also deserves our attention, but because this is a basketball blog, made by a basketball fan and a Filipino first, let this serve as a reminder as to why we should send and see only the best available talent there is.

When people clamor for your inclusion into a "select team," it is a recognition of your efforts, your accomplishments and the inspiration that you are able to share to Filipinos—rich or poor. That when you work hard enough, you are going to be appreciated (rewarded is a given, since these are professional athletes we are talking about) and adored by the people around you.

On even ground (?)

Ready to rumble!

The "other" PBA Philippine Cup semifinals pairing of the three-peat seeking Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters versus the Alaska Aces was supposed to be a yawner. Save for some fireworks brought about by rookie Calvin Abueva, the Texters are expected to just run right through the Aces and move on to the Finals.

The Aces made a case for themselves in yesterday's, ugly, grind-it-out game.

While we're still sticking to the Texters winning the series, it's just highly entertaining to see the Aces fighting tooth and nail against the league's best team for the last two-three (even more) years. This, from an Aces team that last season looked lost and ready to close shop after the unceremonious divorce with long time coach Tim Cone (who's part of the other semifinals pairing between San Mig Coffee and Rain or Shine).

No rebounds, no rings

One for UST!

The San Mig Coffee Mixers had an absurd height advantage highlighted by 6"8 slotman Yancy de Ocampo and 6"7 point-forward Joe DeVance among other members of the vaunted "Sampayan Brigade." So how did the Rain or Shine Elastopainters-- known for having the league's most bruising, able WIDE bodies, out-rebound them in Game 1 to win 91-83?

All heart.

We knew who would score for both teams, though James Yap had an off night (might be playing hurt) and PJ Simon was being his usual inconsistent self (same can be said for DeVance) for the Mixers while there's Paul Lee (too big, too strong), Jeffrei Chan (started off hot) and the pick-your-poison frontline for the Elastopainters.

Looking for the "Lee Stopper"

100% Effort

We all know the value of defensive stoppers in the game of basketball. Some players have built a career around it, averaging no more than five points a game but still being an invaluable part of his team's rotation and game plan.

The San Mig Coffee- Rain or Shine Elastopainters cannot be weighed accordingly just because "they faced each other a few months ago in the Governor's Cup Finals which RoS won." First and foremost there's RoS' return-to-form reigning PBA Rookie of the Year Paul Lee who is looking like an elite level point guard-- a combination of Jayjay Helterbrand's IQ and Mark Caguioa's scoring smarts wrapped in a bald, baby fat-filled frame. Over at SMC, Yancy de Ocampo is putting on quite a conference thus far under Coach Tim Cone. Spending most of last season as an almost fogotten, third string center, YDO is proving his worth and showing the league that (when highly motivated) he is arguably the 2nd best game-changing big man there is (next only to younger brother Ranidel).

Lastly, and where this entry will come down to, is one Jean Marc Pingris.

Grudge Match: Rain or Shine versus San Mig Coffee

Simpleng sahod
sabay sorry by Papa Chris

The Rain or Shine Elastopainters successfully dispatched the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and their retarded coaching staff. Say what you will, but never did we doubt our earlier pick after Ginebra's over-rated "Never Say Die" performance in Game 2 of their quarterfinals match-up.

We're not hating on Ginebra, we're just as frustrated as their unwavering faithful that's all. This is a powerhouse team, they have the reigning PBA Most Valuable Player and arguable the league's best point guard the last year and perhaps the next three to four more. They feature an enviable combination of skilled wingmen and some All Star veterans who've won at every stop. They were playing against a team whose notorious bruisers were enjoying a rare off-series and a Negros Sniper whose been even more way off the mark.

D-Rose is a nightmare to guard

Dubbed “Nightmare” this limited edition colorway is inspired by an opponent’s mindset the night before facing D Rose on the court.

The purple, “vertigo” shimmer synthetic leather upper represents the bad dreams opponents have about guarding the 2011 NBA Most Valuable Player. Other features include glow-in-the-dark outsole, black and white speckled midsole and wave patterned black and white laces. The inside of the tongue features 12-24-12 to represent the day this limited edition pair drops.

 

The D Rose 3 “Nightmare” drops this December 24 for PHP 7995, and is available at the following adidas stores - Rockwell, Greenbelt 3, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, Trinoma, Abreeza Mall Davao and Gaisano CDO.

Follow the adidas Basketball Facebook and @adidasHoops with #drose3 for the next exclusive colorway debut. 

Does Alaska have enough?

Let's get physical!

The Alaska Aces are back!

News of the team's "death" was greatly exaggerated, and thanks to the ever competitive brain-thrust led by boss Wilfred Uytengsu the Aces are back in the quarterfinals where they are to face three-peat Philippine Cup championship seeking Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters.

But do they really stand a chance? Most say that their sweep of the Meralco Bolts should be taken as a clear indication that they can wether the vaunted "dribble drive offense" used by the sister teams. Sol Mercado initiates and creates, Ronjay Buenafe and Sunday Salvacion look for the kick-out passes, Mac Cardona looks for seams and cracks to contribute and Cliff Hodge takes care of the hustle and energy. Over at TNT, there's Jayson Castro leading the charge with Ryan Reyes' unguardable corner pocket threes, Larry Fonacier's sniping from all over, Ranidel de Ocampo just waiting his turn and of course, ever-reliable Jimmy Alapag.

Dribble drive fails Meralco

Sol Train elevated his game this Pinoy Cup

There's something to be said about betting all your chips on one racehorse. For the Meralco Bolts, who were eliminated by budding rival Alaska Aces (because of the magnetic Clifford Hodge vs Calvin Abueva dynamic), it's their over-reliance on the Dribble Drive Offense anchored solely on star guard Sol Mercado.

Yes the numbers are there for Mercado, and he's our top guy when it comes to the Best Player of the Conference plum (outside of Talk 'n' Text's Jayson Castro and Rain or Shine's Jervy Cruz), but it just took so much out of the whole Bolts' offense at times that it made them look predictable. Predictable enough for a sophomore coach like Luigi Trillo, who hasn't really won anything meaningful anywhere, to solve what our Philippine National team SMART Gilas carried all the way to the Jones Cup title months back.

Air21 fails to force sudden death, bows out

Kiiiiiiissss. Sige na. Isa lang.

Despite point guard Mike Cortez eye-popping, DLSU vintage, 21 points, 18 assists and 9 rebounds statline, the Air21 Express failed to force a sudden-death rubber match versus PBA Philippine Cup top seed Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters.

For a while there, it looked as though the Texters were coasting and sleep walking all throughout the game. They did just enough to keep the game close, the Express did everything to take four to six point leads, but there was just no denying the three-peat seeking Texters. Cortez was taking his rivals to school, from PG flag bearer Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro, Ryan Reyes and even the hapless Pamboy Raymundo.

We've been Tiu-torized!

Brother Jonas has been Tiu-torized

We'll be the first to admit it.

When a certain Chris Tiu started making waves out of Xavier High School we didn't really care as much. He's around our age, and we have mutual friends, but we've always belittled his abilities as a basketball player. When he chose Ateneo over La Salle where he's Xavier buddies Joseph Yeo and TY Tang were starring, we (because of our green bloodlines) cursed him out and saw him as no better than Ateneo prep star turned DLSU backup BJ Manalo.

Tiu brought out all the insecurities among all male basketball fans. While the women shrieked and frolicked, we booed and called out his lack of athleticism and speed. His efforts with Ateneo didn't really change anything. He was the guy who would knock down open threes or jumpers benefiting from superstar teammates throughout his collegiate basketball career. He was solid, yes, but definitely not someone you'd bestow James Yap kingship over.

Into the PBA Philippine Cup Quarters

Too many guns for TNT vs Air21

Talk 'n' Text vs Air21
No matter how great Air21 has looked the previous matches since the acquisition of point laureate Mike Cortez (and the renewed love-fest with coach Franz Pumaren), there is no denying Talk 'n' Text of advancing to the next round. Jayson Castro, Jimmy Alapag and Ryan Reyes all look healthy (okay, still waiting for Alapag who looks to be hurt in tonight's match vs Ginebra) and then there's Ranidel de Ocampo doing his thing. And if those guys aren't enough, there's still the steady Kelly Williams, Larry Fonacier, Jarred Dillinger and Ali Peek all ready, willing and able to take over. Nino Canaleta's having the time of his life looking like an all star out there, but his 5 minutes of fame will be and are up.

Fearless Forecast: TNT

The Other De Ocampo

The Postman Returns

Just when everyone has dismissed the San Mig Coffee Mixers' Yancy de Ocampo as the irrelevant party of the two siblings playing in the PBA, the former number one overall draft pick flashes his old vintage form to help lead his team to the number 2 spot in the Philippine Cup standings.

And while he no longer dominates the shaded lane like he used to given all the young, abled bodies of today's PBA (read: heavyweight enforcers), De Ocampo stands as the only legit 6"9 skilled big man who has both the touch and handles (sorry June Mar Fajardo fans) in all of Philippine basketball. Credit of course goes to Mixers head coach Tim Cone for getting the most out of his versatile big. Say what you will, but confidence and trust goes a long way in basketball-- specially for a big man who saw his more productive years gone to waste playing back-up to future PBA Hall of Famers Asi Taulava or Eric Menk.