If only... fantasy Gilas Pilipinas

While our hard-fighting Gilas Pilipinas team was battling it out against the much heralded Croatian team, a familiar face was watching the game live from the stands. A face, that has become the ticket meal of the entire PBA the last few years, the iconic face that belongs to one James Carlos Yap.

Two-time PBA Most Valuable Player, recently crowned grand slam champion.

Unfortunately, he wasn't on the hard court helping the national cause. No, he had to buy a ticket to the game much like every one else in attendance. You could defend his or his management's decision all you want, but we here live by one simple rule: if you're going to battle the best, then you have to send your very best.

Yap and his 2x PBA MVP award is proof that he definitely belongs on Gilas.

2014 FIBA World Cup: Croatia (16) vs Philippines (34) IR

First and foremost, MABUHAY ANG PILIPINAS!

What. A. Game.

After trailing by as much as 15 points in the 1st quarter and a half, Gilas made a game off their debut against one of Europe's finest in Croatia thanks to the efforts of naturalised centre Andray Blatche and the (surprisingly) 4th point guard in the rotation, captain Jimmy Alapag. True enough, Gilas found itself flat-footed early, unable to make shots versus the taller Croatians and pretty much jittery on the floor. Blatche was left to go isolation, much like he did the entire pre-FIBA tune-up campaign for Gilas, which wasn't bad since he was the only guy who could get buckets for us, but wasn't good either because it was messing up our spacing and dribble drive game plan.

If anything, this game can be summed up as Croatia probably taking us for granted early, and the proud men of Gilas just playing with all heart and effort. We caught them off-guard, being one of the virtual unknowns in the tournament and were fortunate enough to have been able to make shots in the end to force over time and salvage a respectable 81-78 loss.

Here's an amateur's take on the positives and negatives that we can learn from the game against Croatia:

Positive:
- Andray Blatche is versatile. He's clearly a walking mismatch at 6"11, with the hybrid forwards of Croatia unable to keep in step owing to Blatche's speed and ball handling skills (which is quite exceptional really and something we never saw in the NBA). Though Blatche is not a force in the paint, he makes up for his big man shortcomings by playing like a little man on the court. He helps spread the floor for our shooters, can drive to the hoop when he wants and has no problems whatsoever in taking (and making treys). Truth be told, Blatche helps our cause in making the game faster-- which gives us more attempts down the floor.

Laban Pilipinas

Mamaya lamang ay magsisimula na ang pinakamalaking kampanya ng ating Pilipinas men's basketball team sa 2014 FIBA World Cup. Bagamat tanggap na ng sambayanan na halos saling pusa lang tayo sa torneyo at makikigulo lang sa unang bahagi ng kompetisyon, dapat natin tandaan na sa basketball, walang imposible. Ung mga paborito at dehado, minsan, nagkakabaligtaran ng nilalarong posisyon. Minsan, ung dehado, nakakanakaw. Nakakabulag. Sa basketball, ang sarap mangarap. Ang sakit matalo, pero ang sarap mangarap.

Jimmy Alapag. LA Tenorio. Paul Lee. Jayson Castro. Gary David. Jeffrei Chan. Gabe Norwood. Marc Pingris. Ranidel de Ocampo. Japeth Aguilar. Junemar Fajardo. Andray Blatche. Chot Reyes.

Larry Fonacier, Marcus Douthit at ang mga iba pang naging bahagi ng kampanyang ito.

2014 PBA Rookie Draft - 1st Round Reactions

Easy, ladies. Easy.
Photo courtesy of Philippine Star SUPREME

It's been a few days now since the 2014 PBA Rookie Draft and while just about every other sports writer has offered his two cents' worth of "grading PBA teams" in general, we'd like to take a different route and chip in a few words on the players.

Here we try to discuss the players selected in the 1st round, their possible strengths and weaknesses (based on what we've seen of them and some online statistics) and where they fit in their newfound PBA teams.

And just for kicks, we'll also throw in some grades to the PBA teams: A, B, C or D with A being the best/ wise decision and D the WTF?!? grade.

12. Blackwater Elite - Juami Tiongson, PG
With their rumored original pick Jericho Cruz going early, the Elite went for a projected starting point guard and possible "face" in the Atenean. While there were other, more potent players left in the pool, Tiongson is considered as a proven commodity in most circles owing to his championship pedigree which doesn't come easy. Skills wise, Tiongson has room to improve specially with his outside shooting which is a must for under-sized PBA guards. How he fares against the league's bigger, explosive guards is going to be an issue on defense though. A possible Tiongson-Alex Nuyles would be fun to watch, with the team's "backcourt tandem of the future" being quite easy on the eyes for the ladies as well.

Player comparison right now: No stop and pop TY Tang
Grade: B, a safe pick for the Elite

When stardom beckons

It's time to move up for Alas

When news broke out that the Gilas Cadets are finally moving on to the next chapter of their young basketball careers by applying for the 2014 PBA Draft, it was met with a lot of approval and cheers from the Filipino basketball community.

After all, we're talking about guys who've spent a good portion of their collegiate and post-collegiate careers playing for flag and country instead of turning pro outright and securing themselves financially. The risks, the sacrifices, as shown and proven by the unfortunate injury to Team USA hopeful and NBA star Paul George are real. Yet they chose to suit up, playing in different Asian tournaments (and more) at a bargain price if only to proudly wear PILIPINAS on their chests.

Kevin Alas, Ronald Pascual, Matthew Ganuelas Rosser and Jake Pascual have all decided to join the coming 2014 PBA Draft, while their brother Garvo Lanete has opted to stay put with the Gilas Cadet program for maybe another year to further hone his craft.

From the ABL to the PBA for Leo Austria

Will Austria have the reigning
PBA MVP's support?
How about the other MVP?
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

It pays to be loyal.

Formerly “disgruntled” ASEAN Basketball League San Miguel Beermen champion coach Leo Austria has recently been rewarded for his patience and trust with the franchise, being signed to a one-year pact to coach the “original, iconic” team of the same name in the Philippine Basketball Association.

If he’ll be able to finish the aforementioned contract is another story altogether.

See, the Beermen (formerly Petron Blaze Boosters) has run through a gauntlet of coaches since 2010: from Ato Agustin, Olsen Racela (with Rajko Toroman as active consultant), Gee Abanilla and the now axed Biboy Ravanes (with Todd Purves as active consultant). For all the on court drama of the so called “Petronovela,” there’s really not much you can expect from a team that has no continuity from the sidelines.

adidas signs Toronto Raptors star

adidas signs Kyle Lowry

adidas today announced a partnership with Toronto Raptors star point guard Kyle Lowry. The eight-season NBA veteran is coming off of a career-best season in which he averaged 17.9 points, 7.4 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game while leading his team to its first playoff berth in five seasons.

“I’m really excited to continue my career with adidas and join a brand that I think compliments my aggressive playing style and future goals,” Lowry said.

The 6-foot Philadelphia native is known throughout the league as a fearless multifaceted offensive player, disruptive defender and superior rebounder at the point guard position.