Out of sync

Is the playing-injured James Yap
hurting/helping his team?
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Should someone make a quick call to the conspiracy theorists behind the whole "only two of the three San Miguel umbrella teams can have winning records per conference" schtick? Because the way things are going, the San Mig Coffee Mixers are bound to be left off the PBA Philippine Cup title hunt.

How else can you explain the Mixers' paltry three wins in ten games predicament despite having a souped-up roster?

Granted, the Mixers were bit by the injury bug with stars Joe DeVance, PJ Simon, Marc Pingris and 2x former PBA Most Valuable Player James Yap all sitting out games early in the conference. But ten games in, with the stars all back, and still a losing record?

Something's amiss.

Ginebra: flawed, but good

Iba na ang matangkad. At MAGALING.
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel has taken the Philippine Basketball Association by storm, now up the Philippine Cup standings with an impressive 9-1 slate.

At the forefront of the attack is floor general L.A. Tenorio whose veteran smarts and point guard savvy remains unmatched. His teammates trust him, rumored, former headcases and divas follow his every marching order without question and there is arguably no other Filipino basketball player today that is universally loved and respected regardless of affiliation.

While the Ginebra faithful continue to wait for their former PBA MVPs Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand to play their way back to form, another player has emerged to make a case for the league's ultimate individual accolade.

Your Bullish Ways

Lastimosa has proven rather solid
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Six games into the PBA Philippine Cup, we can now dismiss any and all alibis and arguments made by the Barako Bull Energy Cola camp as to why they did what they did in the 2013 PBA Draft.

“Win now?”

The Energy Cola are currently on a four-game losing streak, pushing the team to the bottom of the standings with a 2-4 slate—just a win better than sister team Air21 Express. The 2013 PBA rookies that they could’ve landed, namely Terrence Romeo, R.R. Garcia and Nico Salva, are doing wonders for GlobalPort Batang Pier. The names that they got in return are either injured or PBA journeymen/ role players at best.

But still we gave head coach Bong Ramos and his motley crew a chance—a chance to prove themselves after having the misfortune of going to a powerhouse, “dog-eat-dog” team.

Blurred Lines

The Blur
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Consider yourself warned.

Talk'n'Text Tropang Texters' lead point guard Jayson Castro (William) has been on a tear this conference and his team could've easily been 4-1 instead of 3-2 (no thanks to old teammate and now Ginebra star Japeth Aguilar). It's pretty clear that Castro is trying to put the past behind him-- unable to "follow up" on his FIBA Asia "Best point guard in Asia" tag upon his Texters return last conference. There are no excuses really, since the guy who is now considered his full-on rival and widely recognized today as the "Best point guard in the Philippines" L.A. Tenorio, served flag and country just the same.

Surely, you can't be the "Best in Asia" if there's someone else who is considered better in your own country right?

Sinag Shines Through

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!
(Photo courtesy of Spin.ph)

Before you readily dismiss Sinag Pilipinas’ 2013 Southeast Asian Games (held in the “you can actually hear the crickets on live television” empty Zayar Thiri Stadium in Myan Mar) gold medal in the men’s basketball tournament as something of a birthright, rest assured that it was no easy task for everyone involved.

Already a given is the pressure to win it all, brought about by our continued dominance of the sport this side of Asia. Adding to that is the way we fully expect this team not just to win—but to flat our send a message and obliterate the competition by winning by AT LEAST TWENTY POINTS.

Unfair? Unreasonable?

Heart and Sol

Follow the leader
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

There are hundreds, nay, thousands of approaches to the sport of Chess. Some prefer to attack early, others, to lie in wait while a few choose to read the person seated before them. One strategy is to allow your offensive pieces to do the brunt of the dirty work, to have your Pawns, Bishops, Knights and Rooks wreak havoc before unleashing the Queen as your ultimate closer.

Think of the GlobalPort Batang Pier, now carrying an unexpected 4-3 winning card in the PBA Philippine Cup, as something of the sort. While neophyte scoring prodigy Terrence Romeo and “buddy” Ryan Roose Garcia earn praises and headlines with their high-level offense and PBA-ready game, when the games are tight and the chips are down—that’s when we see who the team’s real “anchors” are on both ends of the floor: the Fil-Am veteran pair of Jay Washington and Sol Mercado.

Coming of Age

Aguilar has been dominant
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

If you were 6”9 tall, can run the floor like a guard, knock down jumpers with little to no effort AND make the highlight reel-worth shotblock, best bet is you’d take the PBA by storm and post 19 points and 10 rebounds a game.

Japeth Aguilar is such a man. Even if it took him roughly 4 PBA years to get there.

Point Blank

Asi is a lot of things for Air21,
but playing point guard is not one of them
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Four games into the PBA Philippine Cup and the somewhat retooled Air21 Express find themselves in familiar territory: 0-4, bottom of the 10-team race.

Despite the key addition/ renewed commitment of "immortal" Asi Taulava and spitfire guard Joseph Yeo (prized off-season recruit Mac Cardona is coming off injury), the Express are struggling to put together solid games (even the "moral victory" ones) and have lost no less than 11 points per outing.

Meralco's power surge zaps Ginebra

It was bound to happen sooner or later.

That the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel camp, now powered by a towering frontline to backstop last season's PBA MVP runner-up L.A. Tenorio and former PBA MVP Mark Caguioa, will be demystified right before our very eyes. That the 7"0 Greg Slaughter and vastly improved (nay, more comfortable) 6"9 Japeth Aguilar would be cut down to size and made to look like a collegiate freshmen by a guy dismissed as too unfocused/ temperamental for the pro ranks (Meralco Bolts' 6"7 off season recruit Rabeh Al Hussaini).

For all things said against Bolts' head coach Ryan Gregorio, he and lead assistant Jong Uichico came up with arguably the most brilliant strategy against the previously unbeaten Ginebra team.

Of Kings and Princes

Romeo and Caguioa
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Many have so valiantly tried, sacrilegiously dared even, to unseat the one true King. He wears no crown, though his on/off headband (depending on the season and hairstyle) could be considered as such. They have opted to award princes with fancy titles, if only because they cater to different markets most of which are still learning the game.

And even when the times have changed with the King left to see his peers dismissed with an air of nostalgia, the masses quick to embrace new idols and champions, the King rises from his throne to quash all newcomers right where they stand.

Thy King’s name is Mark Caguioa of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, his Kingdom, as it has been the last decade or so, is the PBA. Championship runs, individual accolades and All Star Selections or not.

Here, he is King of the masses.

In a funk

"Clank!" For the struggling 2x PBA MVP
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Did you know that since the 2008-2009 season, this feared marksman's shooting clip from the three point arc has gone down considerably year after year?

Blame it on off-court drama or nagging injuries, but the honest and brutal truth of it all is that two time PBA Most Valuable Player James Carlos Yap, the "face of the PBA" and San Mig Coffee's on-court leader, is struggling. Three games into the new 2013-2014 season and we're still being (mis)treated to the same old sub-standard shooting performance unexpected from a player of Yap's caliber.

Life after Petron

Different jersey, same game.
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

When Anthony “Jay” Washington first came into the local basketball scene, people noticed him more for him being LeBron James’ “kalokalike” in more ways than one. Not only did he resemble the Basketball Hall of Fame bound NBA superstar, but he also played the game in an almost similar way (with James’ playing it inter-galactic, across the universe, notches higher of course).

So when the Talk’n’Text Tropang Texters (2006-2008) and later on San Miguel Beermen now Petron Blaze Boosters (2008-2013) took him to the fold, you just knew that this guy was special—special in the sense that he could decide the outcome of any game in whatever capacity or role is given him.

A Tall Order

Two year contract/ showcase
for Mixers' Sangalang
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

The Philippine Basketball Association's (PBA) 39th season is well underway with all teams having debuted in highly-entertaining games, carrying-over from the last season's success. Already cast as title favorites are the crowd-favorites Barangay Ginebra San Miguel who went from being undersized and being the butt of all "security guard" related jokes to Goliaths of the local pro scene with their towering frontline of Japeth Aguilar JayR Reyes and rookie Greg Slaughter.

Though we only have a game to assess the 2013 PBA Draft's top three picks who all play the big man position, we were more or less given a preview of "things to come."

Greg Slaughter, C, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
36 minutes, 5/9 field goals, 10 points, 13 rebounds, 1 assist, 0 steal, 2 blocks, 1 foul
The number one overall pick is off to a rousing start, looking every inch like the "big man presence" Ginebra has been lacking since Eric Menk fell off the charts due to nagging injuries and veteran acquisition Kerby Raymundo couldn't provide. Truth be told, Slaughter is far from being a polished post player. He's more Zaldy Realubit at the moment than a Dennis Espino. But Ginebra can live with it, given Slaughter's massive 6'11 frame which constantly commands double teams or at the very least-- the help defense to always keep an eye out for any lobs or drop passes which would lead to bunnies. It's going to be hard to convince Slaughter to develop a true post up game, since he'd have to be pitted against guys of equal size to really be pushed to his limits. At the moment, given his nifty touch, Slaughter can easily catch the entry pass (by way of point guard par excellence L.A. Tenorio), face up and shoot over his defenders head. Simple basketball for this guy really until December 25 when he finally meets his rival/ Gilas buddy Junemar Fajardo (or the next conference/s where teams are set to bring in big imports).

The "Other" Ginebra Big Man

Ginebra has another big man in tow
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

The first time I saw JayR Reyes, now of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, was at the 3rd year high school prom of one of my exes. The first thing everyone noticed was how insanely tall the guy was as compared to the rest of the evening’s escorts/ dates (myself included and back then I stood a lanky 5”10). From then on I decided to keep an eye out for the guy in case he makes it big in the sport that I love (because, in a world of sports blogger hopefuls, who doesn't).

Because, really now, how many 6”5 and up high school kids living in Manila back in the day were not part of some basketball program?

The next time I heard about Reyes, or got to see him play was when he suited up for the U.P. Fighting Maroons. He was raw as hell, but was in pretty good, athletic shape for a guy his size. He could run with the forwards so that’s a plus moving forward to a possible career in the professional ranks.

The Romance of Terrence Romeo

Rise and tune out the semantics
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

In last Wednesday evening's main game, a GlobalPort Batang Pier rookie decided to make a name for himself. That being said; he didn't make a name by appeasing his many, amateur career haters-- no. He made a name for himself by simply playing the way he has the last few years.

Thy name is Terrence Bill Romeo.

High-octane, fast-paced, fading away, crossover, spin move three, one-on-one, one-on-two... one-on-five basketball. What he gave up on inches, he made up for with grit and a will to win. How many point guards can you name that would nonchalantly drive into the lane and absorb Street Fighter Zangief piledriver style contact from both Junemar Fajardo AND Arwind Santos? He was blocked several times and had his shot altered by Petron Blaze's bloodhounds, but this didn't deter him from who and what he was.

The Blueprint

A man with a plan
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

When Barangay Ginebra San Miguel team manager Alfrancis Chua threw a fit last season just weeks after steering the club to a surprise run at a PBA Commissioner’s Cup 1st runner up finish, it was met with a lot of surprise and apprehension from various camps.

Some circles reported that Chua’s then departure was brought about by the sudden, mid-season changes in his staff, others say it was the nagging player trade scenarios. Others say that Chua simply had enough of the top brass and how things were being run by some choice personnel.

Whatever it may be, there were a lot of compromises and concessions made which ultimately led to Chua’s return (and promotion) while also appearing to have “free hand” over team decisions (which is the role of a manager anyway) and how Ginebra would move forward as they slowly transition away from the storied “Mark Caguioa Era.”

Top 10 Story-lines in the PBA Philippine Cup

Doesn't get any bigger than this
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

As we are still waiting for all 10 PBA teams to make their finalized 16-man (14 active plus 2 reserves) rosters public, we would like to take this blog space to discuss the more intriguing story-lines going into the new season.

Be it through off season trades, rebuilding efforts, PBA Draft shockers or free agency acquisition, we rattle off the "Top 10 story-lines going into the PBA Philippine Cup."

10.  Barako Bull Farm Team a.k.a. The Henry Sy Watch
The team "fired" their world champion-level "consultant" just days before the PBA Draft. They then proceeded to prostitute their way out of that same draft by opting to let go of ALL of their 1st round picks. At one point in the off season, the team had over 20 players and maybe about five or six point guards. The owners have denied "tanking" the season for better picks next year. Rumors have it that Henry Sy will finally make his PBA entry through buyout (his Banco de Oro team is already in the PBA D-League to maybe "test the waters"). One thing's for sure, this team is going to have a difficult time in winning games versus the top-tiers of the league.

Widening the Gap

Dating back to the inclusion of the sport of basketball in the South East Asian Games in 1977,  the Philippines has successfully brought home the gold medal in every single edition held save for 1989 wherein we lost to host country Malaysia (2005 was held in the Philippines but scrapped owing to our FIBA suspension while in 2009 Indonesia nixed the sport due to lack of facilities).

So there is some truth when Filipinos proudly declare that the country is the "Kings of Southeast Asian Basketball."

Dynamite.

Danny Seigle, recognized as Philippine basketball’s “Dynamite” for his incredible scoring prowess and for redefining the Filipino small forward position, is almost a clear example of life imitating art. Drafted in 1999 and an annual candidate for PBA Most Valuable Player, Seigle is almost at the twilight of his illustrious basketball career peppered with a myriad of injuries.

Why do we say that Seigle's case is "life imitating art?" In 2008, director Darren Donofsky Aronofsky and writer Robert Siegel teamed up for a brilliant sports-drama film “The Wrestler” which starred famed actor Mickey Rourke. The piece was astutely moving and heart-wrenching in the sense that it was raw and brutally honest recounting the life of an aged sports entertainer still clinging to all the glory of his now lost youth.

He was hanging and carrying on despite his advanced years—if only for the love of entertaining his adoring fans. Or angling for one last paycheck. Or simply because it was all he had left.

One. More. Match.

A Necessary Evil

Fan or not, you have to feel for these two
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

At present, there are over twenty names on the Barako Bull Energy roster including their late draft picks Jeric Fortuna, Carlo Lastimosa, Darwin Cordero, Jett Vidal and Mike Silungan not to mention new recruits through draft day trades Denok Miranda, Willie Miller, Magi Sison and Mark Isip.

We’ve considered all angles and arguments for and against this much-maligned franchise which, if it hasn’t been before, has been branded as a clear-as-egg-white “San Miguel Corporation farm team.” We’ve already touched on how this team was a darkhorse contender during its early years in the PBA, now there’s just no denying how it’s only in the league for the best interests not of its players or fans but for its benefactors.

The Kraken Effect

Here’s a question: “how many centers does it take to stop Junemar Fajardo?”

You know, the 6”10 Petron Blaze Boosters’ incoming sophomore center who ran roughshod against any and all defenses in the recently concluded 2013 PBA Governor’s Cup and expected to do even more damage the coming year? The kid who is being mentored by no less than 2x PBA MVP teammate and sure fire, first ballot Hall of Famer Danny Ildefonso?

All 10 PBA teams had this in mind going into the highly successful and entertaining 2013 PBA Draft, with most opting to fortify their frontlines first before adding talent of any kind. This is pretty much how a “project” big men like Isaac Holstein and Justin Chua went ahead of steadier and more accomplished names such as Nico Salva, Jeric Teng and Alex Nuyles among others.

Here we try to break down each team’s “Fajardo Stoppers” going into the 2013-2014 PBA Philippine Cup wherein the Cebuano giant is expected to further solidify his claim to big man greatness.

2013 PBA Draft Results

The Big Men Cometh
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

We will work on the post analysis in a bit, for now we'll borrow some copy from the InterAKTV website because we're simply too lazy to retype the damn thing.

In our honest opinion, all hell broke loose after the "given" Top 3 Picks.

First Round

1. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel – Greg Slaughter
2. San Mig Coffee Mixers – Ian Sangalang
3. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters – Raymond Almazan
4. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (from Barako Bull) – James Forrester
5. GlobalPort Batang Pier (from Barako Bull via Petron) – Terrence Romeo
6. GlobalPort Batang Pier (from Barako Bull) – RR Garcia
7. GlobalPort Batang Pier – Isaac Holstein
8. Alaska Aces – Ryan Buenafe
9. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters – Alex Nuyles
10. San Mig Coffee Mixers – Justin Chua

Ang Binangga, Nagiba

Parang kelan lang nung unang sumabak ang Barako Bull (Red Bull noon) sa PBA dala ang kakaibang kalibre ng basketball sa pangunguna ni ngayong Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao. Matatapang, pisikal, agresibo at walang takot. Karamihan ng mga player nila hindi kilala at galing kung saan pero walang takot kung makipagsabayan sa mga superstar ng liga. Nauna sila Jimwell Torion, Junthy Valenzuela at Davonn Harp, sumunod ung era ni Enrico Villanueva.

Yun ung Barako Bull na gusto naming balik-balikan sa ilang taong pamamayagpag ng PBA. Hindi yung Barako Bull ngayon na walang bayag. Barako Bull na walang magawa tuwing magkakaroon ng magagaling na manlalaro kapag naglalambing na ang mga "Kuya."

Hindi naman kami tanga, alam naman namin ang kalakaran at naiintindihan ito.

Pero huwag naman sana bastusan.

KKS Scouting Report: 2013 PBA Draft Favorites (Part 2)

Continuing our Scouting Report on the 2013 PBA Draft “Favorites” with the exception of Carlo Lastimosa, SG, 5”10 and James Forrester, SG, 6”0 because, quite frankly, we didn’t know where Destiny Cable put AksyonTV not until maybe three weeks ago. 

And that’s only because we reset our television and put it on auto programming.

In case this is your first time to drop by our page, please feel free to check out Part 1 of our Scouting Report. We're going with the 2013 PBA Draft Favorites-- their Strengths and Weaknesses plus the PBA player that they remind us of (Ceiling would be who or what they could become and Basement would be, well, the basement).

Ryan Roose Garcia 5”9.5

Strengths: gifted with range, made giant leap from shooting guard to point guard, able to play off the ball and defer to superstar teammate/s, solid ball handling skills, heady point guard, savvy, can create own shot 

Weakness: man to man defense, late on switches, average frame might be a problem against stronger guards and fighting through screens, any questions pertaining to his relationship with a former teammate and a famous TV personality

Ceiling: More offensively potent Mark Barroca, minus the stingy defense  

Basement: Shorter RJ Jazul

KKS Scouting Report: 2013 PBA Draft Favorites (Part 1)

Since we’ve already touched on the 2013 PBA Draft: the first rounders, sleepers and which teams they’re most probably/ ideally/ logically going to play for, it’s high time that we take a step back and review the favorites for who and what they are on the basketball court based from what we’ve observed.

And since we have limited information on all 84 applicants, we’re going to offer a scouting report on the “favorites” or pretty much the ones we’ve seen and followed through the boob tube. Here we break down their Strengths and Weakness while also offering a Ceiling and Basement or the CURRENT, ACTIVE PBA Players that each rookie reminds us of (Ceiling being the potential/ high point and Basement being the low point).

Greg Slaughter, C, 6’11”

Strengths: soft touch, great hands, can shoot free throws and 15-17 feet jumpshot, can finish around the rim finesse or force, knows where to receive the basketball, can set sturdy screens

Weakness ( / needs work):  footwork, is essentially slow and lanky as expected of seven footers, lacks explosion, lacks basic back-to-the-basket post-up game, slow on the pick and roll (more of a pick and pop type)

Ceiling: Slightly taller Asi Taulava with range, if he works on his post game can turn into 7”0 Sonny Thoss

Basement: 7”0 Rob Reyes

SPRITE AND NBA CARES SUPPORT SPECIAL OLYMPICS ATHLETES IN NBA GLOBAL GAME BASKETBALL CLINIC

A member of the NBA's Indiana Pacers (left)

supervises the basketball clinic of the 

young Special Olympics athletes

To mark the games taking place in the Philippines and Asia as part of the 2013 NBA Global Games, Sprite partnered once again with NBA Cares, the global social responsibility program of NBA, to foster acceptance and inclusion for differently abled athletes through an exciting basketball clinic.

The NBA Cares Special Olympics Basketball Clinic Presented by Sprite took place on October 9 at the Mall of Asia Arena where 60 young Special Olympics athletes had a once-in-a-lifetime experience to improve their basketball skills with the assistance of employee volunteers from Sprite as well as the entire Indiana Pacers team.  NBA Legends Ron Harper and Jalen Rose were also present to lend a helping hand.
 

A PBA MVP in question

Spiderman, Spiderman,
wherefore art thou Spiderman?
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

17 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks.

Those are the numbers that the reigning PBA Most Valuable Player Arwind Santos of the Petron Blaze Boosters turned in to vanquish Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the Quarterfinals of the PBA Governor's Cup. Before that, he was good for 13 points and 8 rebounds. In the Semifinals versus Rain or Shine where he faced a myriad of do-it-all, gung ho forwards he was still good for 9 and 9.

In the recently concluded PBA Governor's Cup Finals versus the San Mig Coffee Mixers, Santos could only muster 8 and 3.

We can live with the 8 points given the team's emphasis in dumping the ball to promising big man Junemar Fajardo and the presence of high scoring import Elijah Millsap. We can live with the lessened participance on offense, but on defense?

Where's the effort? Where's the hustle?

PBA GovCup Finals: Mixers' Reign

You reach, I teach
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

The San Mig Coffee Mixers have won their 2nd championship under the still young Tim Cone Era after surviving Game 7 of the PBA Governor's Cup Finals versus the Petron Blaze Boosters. When the game was at its closest and nerve-wracking, the Mixers simply buckled down to work while the mighty Boosters began to come undone.

Hats off to both teams for putting one hell of a show. Though the series was unconvincingly dragged to  its limits with some blowout exchanges here and there early, Game 7 showed just how evenly matched both teams are with no team enjoying a clear advantage going into the last 12 minutes.

The Boosters were once again led by prolific import Elijah Millsap and hard working rookie Junemar Fajardo but failed to get the support that we cited in our earlier post. Either by design or something else, the Boosters kept milking Fajardo and Millsap while forgetting to involve their other, potent players from the wings such as Marcio Lassiter, Ronald Tubid, Chris Lutz and Alex Cabagnot. PBA Most Valuable Player Arwind Santos was also left looking like an over rated role player (the entire series actually) who couldn't get into any sort of rhythm on both ends of the court.

PBA GovCup Finals: Game 7

Mukhang nagkakasawaan na tong dalawa
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

It's not every conference that fans are treated to a classic, winner-takes-all game seven in the PBA Finals pitting the conference's best and second-best teams. Somewhere along the course of the excruciating playoffs, one usually bows out to exhaustion and pressure, allowing a darkhorse to come out of the woodwork.

First seed Petron Blaze Boosters versus the second seed San Mig Coffee Mixers for the right to be called the 2013 PBA Governor's Cup champions.

There are no darkhorses here.

Certified: Arwind Santos, PBA MVP

Game recognize game
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

I done kept it real from the jump
Living at my mama's house we'd argue every mornin'
Nigga, I was trying to get it on my own
Working all night, traffic on the way home
And my uncle calling me like "Where ya at?
I gave you the keys told ya bring it right back"
Nigga, I just think it's funny how it goes
Now I'm on the road, half a million for a show

- Started from the bottom, Drake

The odd jobs, countless afternoons and evenings spent in minor basketball leagues playing on pavement where hustling for the basketball means a sure chipped tooth, scraped knees and a boat load of cheap elbow shots to the mid section—all that has come to this moment.

When the Petron Blaze Boosters’ Arwind Santos was hailed as PBA Most Valuable Player, fans were divided. Some cheered while others jeered. Other names were thrown around with their own merits and arguments. Some enjoyed a better season than Santos, some put up eye-popping stat-lines that would solidify their claim. Hell, some would even argue that Santos’ best seasons came in the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011.

But none of them can lay claim to having done the same things, at a very high level, as Santos who has proven himself worthy of being an MVP frontrunner since his 2006 rookie season.

Rise of the Kraken

The Kraken's just begun
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Born of deep sea legend, the Kraken surveys his newfound domain where all are prey, where he is king. He stands tall, constantly making a mockery of those who dare defy his rule. This is a new era; this is the time for beasts and monsters.

But to the Kraken, they all bow.

The Petron Blaze Boosters’ 6”11, 269 lbs giant rookie Junemar Fajardo might have started his pro career on an uneven note no thanks to a serious lower body injury that required surgery, but there’s no question that he is here and that he is, unlike his moniker-namesake, for real.

KKS 2013 PBA Mock Draft Version 3 FINAL

Jeric Teng: What going HAM in the UAAP Finals
on national TV can do to your PBA Draft stock
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

The first time we did this, there were a lot of top-Peso names on the list that we could easily throw out there in any order and no one would've raised an eyebrow or posted a seven-tweet rant calling for our heads (in case you haven't, feel free to follow us on Twitter through @kilikilishot).

When the second version came out, we had an idea more or less of who are going to apply and where they'd land-- 1st or 2nd round. Thanks to an insider whose identity we've promised to keep under wraps (till maybe he himself makes the sports headlines), high profile names such as those of the Gilas Cadets, Chris Banchero and later on Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. have been omitted from our list.

Now, we present to you our FINAL 2013 PBA Mock Draft-- based on what we've heard, read, researched, know and also, on what the other PBA teams (who haven't sent any feelers yet) need going into the next PBA season. 

#KKS2013PBADraft

With the 2013 PBA Draft just around the corner (November 3), we asked some of our friends over at @kilikilishot on Twitter who they think will be drafted in the first round (10 draftees in total).

For everyone's convenience, the draft order is as follows:

1. Ginebra 2. San Mig Coffee 3. Rain or Shine 4. Barako Bull 5. Barako Bull 6. Barako Bull 7. Global Port 8. Alaska 9. Rain or Shine 10. San Mig Coffee

Here are our friends thoughts on the Top 10:

Hooked

From superstar to reserve

The lights are at its brightest, men frolic to the stage as the music hits with the volume at its highest. The star steps into the light drowned by deafening silence. This is what we’ve been waiting for. This is what we’ve come to see.

Somewhere backstage a not so old yet not entirely youthful hand cradles spirits enclosed within a bottle. Cigarette smoke fills the air as her mascara runs down her cheeks with tears. She had her time on the stage. They used to cherish her.

Worshipped her. Loved her.

Strike First: David to Meralco, Cardona to Air21

Finally, a star that
#BansangMeralco can cheer for
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Just when we all thought that we'd be able to enjoy a reprieve from the highly addictive madness that is the Philippine Basketball Association once the PBA Governor's Cup Finals duel between Petron Blaze and San Mig Coffee is through, we are greeted with a barrage of pre off-season, marquee trades.

We've already touched on the recent trade that saw GlobalPort hotshot Gary David moving over to Meralco, now we breakdown the rest of the wheeling and dealing that went down the last few days. For argument's sake and our readers' reference, we've added their 2012-2013 season averages (minutes, points, rebounds and assists). Props to the folks behind www.pba-online.net 

Trade 1

Meralco
Gary David, SG (28.49 mpg 17.10 ppg 2.98 rpg 1.7 apg)
Go-to-scorer that fits Meralco's Dribble Drive Motion Offense owing to his range, up there in years (35) and mileage but is as proven as you can get.

KKS 38th Leo Awards' Picks

Sa iyo ang Asya, pero akin ang Pinas
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

What a year it has been for Philippine basketball! We've seen a top heavy 2012 PBA Draft that features some of the league's fastest rising stars, was treated to an "old school vs new school" Philippine Cup Finals between Rain or Shine and erstwhile champs Talk 'n' Text, witnessed the "choke-gate," saw the rise of a "new" Alaska, celebrated (and cried) with Gilas, among other great feats.

Now we take this opportunity to give credit where it is due and name the PBA stars who have competed and entertained millions of Filipinos all across the globe with their passion, excellence and overall on court brilliance.

All Defensive Team
PG L.A. Tenorio, SG Chris Ross , SF Calvin Abueva, PF Arwind Santos, C Junemar Fajardo
Sounds just about right from positions one to five, you have the steals, blocks and rebounds leaders all in one lot and save for maybe the still improving Ross, the five would be pillars of the PBA for the next two to four years.

El Granada looks to detonate anew

Gary David to Meralco 

After a year of frustrations and injuries, PBA scoring champion Gary David has been sent by GlobalPort to Meralco in a trade that also includes rookie A.J. Mandani for point guards and former PBL rivals Chris Ross and Chris Timberlake.

From the outside looking in, we love the trade solely for two reasons: it reunites David with a more "shooter-friendly" offense with Meralco's Dribble Drive and two, it gives him a new lease on life after "regressing" this 38th PBA Season. By that we mean, his scoring clip was going up the last five seasons-- scoring average of 15, 17, 18, 21 and 25 before going "down" to 18 again.

PBA GovCup Finals: Petron deals first blow

If Game 1 of the PBA Governor's Cup Finals is a preview of things to come, then we're going with Petron Blaze's Alex Cabagnot and Marcio Lassiter when they said that they'd prefer a sweep of San Mig Coffee.

Lutz and Lassiter proved to be
a handful for San Mig Coffee
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Riding on the hot hands of Chris Lutz late (12 points) and the superb triple double effort of import Elijah Millsap (35 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists), Petron Blaze had control of the game save for a mini San Mig Coffee run in the 3rd canto. The disparity in personel became quite obvious early when Petron Blaze's 6"10 rookie Junemar Fajardo was pretty much having his way inside versus 6"5 counterpart Marc Pingris.

San Mig Coffee tried to address the Fajardo conundrum by fielding in little-used 6"9 big man Yancy de Ocampo, but he proved a little too skinny. Also, instead of pulling Fajardo out of the paint by staying by the high post to three point line area where he is more effective, de Ocampo went with his pride and opted to challenge the youngster mano-a-mano (in which he failed rather miserably).

Come Rain or Shine (A Fan Commentary)

Beau Belga or not, Yeng Guiao needs
to take a look at Jervy Cruz in 2014
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

This was supposed to be the year that the Rain or Shine Elastopainters, led by the bullish (he's not as temperamental as before though) Yeng Guiao, were able to break through the glass ceiling.

Why wouldn't they? They were coming off a hard-earned and well-fought for PBA Governor's Cup 2012 championship, three of their starters were "good enough" to crack the prestigious Gilas Pilipinas national team pool and they were going to have the reigning PBA Rookie of the Year Paul Lee back for the season after his debut got cut short by injuries.

adidas signs NBA All Star

Joakim Noah for adidas

PORTLAND, Ore. (October 8, 2013) – adidas today announced a partnership with NBA All-Star center Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls

NBA All-Star Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls joins the adidas basketball roster which includes his Chicago Bulls teammate and 2011 NBA Most Valuable Player Derrick Rose along with three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard of the Houston Rockets, 2013 NBA Rookie of the Year Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers and two-time NBA MVP and four-time NBA Champion Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs.

KKS 2013 PBA Mock Draft Version 2.2

Ian Sanggalang is going to drop buckets
(Photo courtesy of Sports 5)

With all due respect to the coming PBA Governor's Cup Best-of-Seven Finals match-up between the Petron Blaze Boosters and San Mig Coffee Mixers, we are now officially just a month away from the much-anticipated 2013 PBA Draft headlined by some of the tallest hauls in recent memory.


Since we've already come up with an initial list in an earlier post, we've taken the liberty of revisiting our draft picks and also the draft order. Thanks to our idol @misterjpmanahan for taking care of all the math and figuring out which PBA teams own picks 1 to 10.

Before anything else, we'd like to get a couple of things out of the way.

PBA GovCup Finals: Family Feud

Like most family feuds,
it's going to be ugly
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Did you know that the (established) San Miguel Corporation PBA franchises: Petron Blaze, San Mig Coffee and Barangay Ginebra have a grand total of 36 PBA championships among them? Petron Blaze is lording it over with an astonishing 19 titles while the little brothers—SMC and Ginebra are trying to create separation from the other with 9 and 8, respectively.

With Petron Blaze and San Mig Coffee being armed to the teeth (both possess arguably the most star-studded and star-heavy eight-man rotation in the whole PBA), it’s going to be mighty interesting how the series turns out. We explore the match-ups and who has the edge overall:

PG Alex Cabagnot/ Chico Lanete vs Alex Mallari/ Mark Barroca

It’s going to be Cabagnot’s heady play and clutch shooting taking on the ultra aggressive Mallari and the cerebral and efficient Barroca. Quite frankly, we’re not loving the match-up for Cabagnot since he’ll be asked to chase either of SMC’s guards against a bunch of brush and flare screens. Don’t be surprised if the Fil-Hawaiian point guard lands in foul trouble early or if we see Denok Miranda make some early appearances just to give Petron a different look.

Adv SMC

PBA GovCup Finals: San Mig Coffee aching for redemption

Ilang panalo na lang at mahahagkan ng muli
ni Barroca si Erika Padilla
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

The San Mig Coffee Mixers are back in the PBA Governor’s Cup Finals after disposing of a gutsy Meralco Bolts squad in their Best-of-Five affair, going 3-1. 

This time around, the Mixers were led by do-it-all import Marqus Blakely, a re-calibrated 2x PBA MVP James Yap, Joe DeVance, steady Mark Barroca and rookie Alex Mallari. Those five did enough for the team that the sub par performances of usually dependable stat-sheet stuffing stalwarts PJ Simon and Marc Pingris.

What’s next for the Mixers? Well, if they can have it their way, a Governor’s Cup championship trophy at season’s end.

PBA GovCup Semis: Meralco - Designed to Fail?

Nag mukhang unggoy yung Meralco
sa pangit ng rotation
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Before anything else, we would like to give a shoutout to the Meralco Bolts for their gutsy stand despite the huge disparity in personnel and firepower in their series against the San Mig Coffee Mixers. Import Mario West put in an impressive and valiant effort despite clearly being hobbled by a shoulder injury he suffered the game before. 

But what we want to touch on this entry is to openly question just what the hell happened with the Bolts. Did they push and ride the “underdog” tag too much? Were players being withheld from being fielded in? What the hell kind of rotation and game plan was Bolts head coach Ryan Gregorio trying to play the entire series?

The way the series unraveled, the Bolts played small ball most of the time with veteran Reynel Hugnatan duking it out with San Mig Coffee’s Marc Pingris, Marqus Blakely and Rafi Reavis underneath. Spelling him was JayR Reyes, a 6”8 warm body with six handy fouls to give out at best.

PBA 2012 Draft: The Do-Over

What if teams were able to make a do-over?
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

And so we have come to the (near) end of another great professional basketball season for Philippine hoops: the country (behind some of its best, pro-players) was able to re-establish itself as a contender in the region, all the concerned basketball parties are in (or at the very least, seem to be) in unison and new names have come out of the collegiate and amateur ranks that will carry the winning tradition and proud Filipino fighting heart for the next decade or so.

Here we rank the 2012 PBA Draftees (1st round plus some promising names) based on how well they have performed this season (and going forward) vis-a-vis the team that should've/ could've picked them if they were able to go back in time. 

1 Petron - Calvin Abueva 

51 g 26.41 m 12.25 p 9.37 r 1.82 a 

The numbers, the minutes, the intensity-- it speaks for itself. At a modest 6"1 1/2 we dare you to name us anyone of the same height the last five years who can put up the same numbers AND change the tempo/ mood/ feel of the game simply by checking in OFF THE BENCH. As loaded as Petron is, you just cannot argue with talent and heart. You don't pass up on a guy like this, you make room for him and trade away the others to fill in whatever hole you have. Yeah. The Beast is here to stay, ROY-MVP or not.

2012 PBA Draft pick order: 2nd, Alaska

A Gargantuan Task

Beat Petron? Tall task for RoS
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

The Rain or Shine Elastopainters and their fiery mentor Yeng Guiao are in a bind.

Down 0-2 in their PBA Governor’s Cup Semifinals matchup against powerhouse Petron Blaze Boosters, the Elastopainters are finding it difficult to defend the crown they won a season ago behind a roster of no-names and journeymen. Forget that the games have been surprisingly close until maybe a late 4th quarter breakaway (Boosters’ Elijah Milsap going HAM in Game 1), the Elastopainters are one win away from being eliminated.

And it seems that there’s just nothing they can do about it.

The kids are all right

Alas & co vs South East Asia
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

With the mainstream collegiate basketball season almost at its end, the focus now shifts on the coming 27th South East Asian Games (December 11 to 22, to be held in Myanmar) where the Philippines is favored to dominate the sport anew.

Already announced to call the shots is Meralco Bolts assistant coach Jong Uichico (who, at this point in his career, is really over-qualified for the job but hey) to be aided by Far Eastern University’s brain thrust Nash Racela and Josh Reyes. Naturalized center Marcus Douthit will also suit up which pretty much guaran-damn-tees us to be one of the medal favorites.

PBA GovCup Semis: San Mig Coffee vs Meralco

With Maliksi out, PJ Simon's
got buckets on mind
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

With Game 1 already out of the way, things are looking mighty interesting between the San Mig Coffee Mixers and the Meralco Bolts. We breakdown the match-ups and take a look at the necessary adjustments we feel should be made if this series is to go the distance.

PG: Mark Barroca/ Alex Mallari vs Mike Cortez/ Chris Ross/ Chris Timberlake
In a nutshell, here's a token summary of how point guards are supposed to be: can play the half court, can run, be the designated bail-out scorer AND make game-changing stops every now and then. The Mixers' Barroca is steadily boosting his stock under the tutelage of assistant coach Johnny Abarrientos (and now also of Olsen Racela) while Mallari looks like he's found a niche in the pros as a "sparkplug" type. On the flipside, the Bolts have a troika of guards who also possess most of the above-mentioned qualifications save for one-- they can't shoot a lick. The Cortez acquisition gave them a heady floor general who can control the tempo, but it still didn't answer their need for another on-court offensive threat. Given the defensive nature of both teams, the point guard/s that can dictate the pace of the game will win it for his team—even if it means having to put their “scoring caps” on.

Adv. SMC

PBA GovCup Semis: Petron vs Rain or Shine

Which Gilas player will shine
brightest this series?
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

With all the PBA Governor's Cup 2013 title favorites able to make short-work of their playoff assignments (save for San Mig Coffee), let's move on to the semifinals and take a look at how the match-ups will unfold. First up are the league-leading Petron Blaze Boosters versus the defending champs, the Rain or Shine Elastopainters:

PG: Alex Cabagnot/ Chico Lanete vs Paul Lee/ Chris Tiu/ Jonathan Uyloan/ TY Tang

Perhaps the only chink in this rejuvenated and re-fueled Petron Blaze attack in this semifinals match-up is the guard position, wherein Rain or Shine's knack of playing about four (even five) guys at the point guard spot can easily disrupt the opposing team's scouting report. Cabagnot will put up the stats given the minutes, but this match-up will depend on what we'll see from reigning PBA Rookie of the Year Paul Lee.  If Lee comes in with the mindset to attack, Cabagnot will be on the defensive and Petron might need to dust off little-used defensive hound Denok Miranda. Tiu, Uyloan and Tang can all stay in front of Lanete and put up points.

Adv. Rain or Shine
Just confirmed news that Paul Lee is out for 3 weeks with a muscle tear. Shit just got harder for Rain or Shine. Petron with obvious advantage now at PG spot.

Stay the course

Bigote. Slick back pomade hair.
Sunglasses. Neon green shirt.
#THATSG.
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

With a respectable 4-5 win-loss slate, the Global Port Batang Pier have found themselves in the PBA Governor's Cup Playoffs hunt thanks to a potent four-man scoring machine and the "old school" hand of head coach Junel Baculi.

They found a solid import in Markeith Cummings to go with their awesome foursome of Sol Mercado, Gary David, Willie Miller and Jay Washington. They have some rough and tough ninjas in youngsters Marvin Hayes and Kelly Nabong, plus an assortment of role players that can contribute when given enough daylight (Belencion, Lingganay).  Honestly, when owner Mikee Romero envisioned bringing his success in the amateurs to the pros, we all thought that it would take at least two years for them to do so (by languishing early and rebuilding via the PBA draft like most cellar-dwelling, "new" franchises do).

Demoted

Basics din muna pag may time
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Forget what everyone around you is saying, being sent to the PBA D-League is a "clear as a warm glass of morning piss" demotion.

There's just no other way to say it: PBA Air21 Express backup point guard Simon Atkins, picked 21st overall in the 2012 PBA Draft, has been demoted by his mother team and will be suiting up for their DLeague affiliate, Arellano University. Now, if you are an AU alumni or fan, don't expect this to be manna from heaven.

Uphill Climb for Texters

Boracay? Kami? Pang abroad kaya
kami pag championship bonus.
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Just a week or so ago we wrote about how the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters were "under maintenance" owing to their lousy start this PBA Governor's Cup and how we shouldn't hold it against them after all they've done for flag and country.

Well, the champion Texters are a prideful bunch.

Last night, they were able to force a deciding duel with the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel for the 8th and final spot. Should they lose, then that's it for the Texters. But you just don't go counting out a team that's pretty much been in every single PBA playoff scenario the last three years.

Not when Jimmy "Mighty Mouse" Alapag can still lace it up it and continue to knockdown back-breaking, "straight from the parking lot" long threes.

Ang batang Maliksi

Ang batang Maliksi
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

When the San Mig Coffee Mixers’ Allein Maliksi first came into the league by way of the Barako Bull Energy, he quickly started to make a name for himself as a wiry and creative scorer reminiscent of 90s Pinoy superstars Kenneth Duremdes, Vergel Meneses and Bong Alvarez.

You know what we’re talking about. Guys who just make the game look easy, shooting jumpshots, driving to the hoop and throwing in a dunk or two from time to time.

So it really shouldn’t be much of a surprise to see Maliksi finding a niche with the Mixers this PBA Governor’s Cup (or even when he was briefly sent to Barangay Ginebra then back to Barako Bull). The 2011 PBA D-League Best Player of the Conference is blessed with a PBA stardom-ready body frame standing 6”3 and weighing a fit 180 lbs. (again, Duremdes II). Despite playing only 24 minutes a game, Maliksi is averaging a respectable 12 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists in Mixers’ head coach Tim Cone’s “new” spread-out offense wherein everyone gets a chance to score.

Washington Reinvented

Introducing... Batang Pier CENTER #18
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

If you were under the misguided impression that one Anthony "Jay" Washington wasn't PBA material because of the string of subpar performances he had with his former team, well, we can't blame you.

He was tagged as a "go-to-player" because of his impressive skill set and natural gifts. He can shoot, pass, dribble the length of the floor and play positions one through five. He can lock guys down, he can pretty much do it all when needed.

Only, just don't ask him to carry an entire team.