 |
| Doesn't get any bigger than this (Photo courtesy of Sports5) |
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.
9. Return of the Mac(Mac)/ Air21 Archers
Fantards (such as this writer) finally got their wish: for MacMac Cardona to be reunited with his college Coach Franz Pumaren and drop the whole Meralco Ryan Gregorio brainchild "his name is Mark"schtick. We want the old Cardona back. The unapologetic, relentless, swag-all-day, take-no-prisoners angry, punk ass mafaka who tormented a lot of teams and even drew the respect/ ire of Ginebra fans all around (if Ginebra fans bother enough to boo you, then you know you're doing something right). The Air21 Express look pretty formidable now that Cardona is in the mix alongside sharpshooter Nino Canaleta and big man Asi Taulava. If Joseph Yeo sheds some of the PBA weight he has gained over the last five years, then this team is going to be electric to watch.
8. El Granada
Did Gary David shoot himself out last season? Was he tired from all the basketball he played with Gilas in the Jones Cup and other pocket tournaments and then back again with his former mother team Powerade which decided to trade away most of its young stars? Now with the Meralco Bolts, the "ageless" David will get to work with a more potent, young mix of talent in Mike Cortez, Rabeh Al Hussaini and Jared Dillinger. If we are to believe Coach Ryan Gregorio (which we do, the man sounds like an absolute genius 100% of the time in all of his TV commentaries/ interviews), then David will be featured in this offense much like Gregorio did for James Yap back when they were together in Purefoods/ San Mig Coffee.
7. No Country for Old Men
Asi Taulava, Dorian Pena, Ali Peek, Mick Pennisi, Eric Menk and Nic Belasco. There are only a handful now of the last decade's more dominant heroes. Danny Seigle, as of this moment, is unsigned while his former running mate Danny Ildefonso is also being placed on the bubble by Petron (as to why they even allowed news of that to make the rounds, is. Just. Very. Petron. Name the guy your captain already for Pete's sake! Respect the man!) Still, of all the guys, if Ildefonso makes the final roster he's the guy with the best shot at winning another title (or more) thanks to his powerhouse team. It's going to be an end of an era when these guys finally decide to call it a career. Hopefully, they are able to go out with a loud bang before it's all said and done.
6. GlobalBro Batang Rambol
R.R. Garcia is not chummy chum chums with Terrence Romeo. Enrico Villanueva and Kelly Nabong are arguably the most volatile-in-waiting frontline in the entire PBA. Jondan Salvador and Eric Menk are going to dish out Grade A pain. Marvin Hayes is starting to develop a mean streak, a cross between Alaska buddies Calvin Abueva and Gabby Espinas. Sol Mercado is a bad, baaaaaaaaad man on the break. This team is ready to fight. Just how Boss Mikee Romero likes it.
5. Gilas Pilipinas Tryouts
Ah the big, pink elephant in the room. We all know that if Gilas head coach Chot Reyes is asked, he'd like to bring his FIBA Asia Silver medal winning roster to Spain from guys 1 through 12. We also know that this is the PBA, that anything can happen and superstars will rise no matter what. Right now there's already a clamor for some "roster upgrades"here and there which we don't really find all that odd or laughable. Gilas has its flaws. There are some PBA players who can help right away. Our money's on Jared Dillinger and Kelly Williams creeping into the conversation come April next year with the usual bets Arwind Santos, Chris Lutz and Marcio Lassiter also involved.
4. Talk 'n' Text Tropang Eagles
While the Texters still boast of the Gilas core of Jayson Castro, Jimmy Alapag, Ranidel de Ocampo and Larry Fonacier, they were unable to add any top-tier talent in the off season be it through trade or draft. On the flip side, TNT head coach Norman Black went out to bring in a bunch of his Ateneo boys who are all 2-year projects at best at the moment (yep, even Nonoy Baclao). The game versus the Air21
3. The Beast Revisited
Calvin Abueva shut a lot of critics up with his relentless hustle and tireless motor last season. Now, the reigning PBA Rookie of the Year is going to have to put in more work if he is to remain relevant with all the giants coming in and drawing all of the hype. Have we seen the best that Abueva has to offer? Is he really, "just" an undersized hybrid forward-- a skinnier, shorter Rudy Hatfield with a mean mug? Or can he make the right decisions, dribble the ball better and learn the art of playing the SG spot to one day supplant senior Cyrus Baguio at the Alaska front?
2. Tim Cone > Baby Dalupan
Currently tied at 15 titles, one is enshrined in the Hall of Fame and already long retired. The other has a powerhouse team that only got richer with prized rookie big man Ian Sangalang.
1. Junemar Fajardo vs Greg Slaughter
Call it Clash of the Titans.
What else are you looking forward to this conference/ season? Any story-lines you want to dig into or pay attention to?
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for supporting kilikilishot.com all meaningful/ insightful comments are appreciated and published on this page.