Trade reaction: Ginebra's Ababou, Forrester for Barako's 1st round pick

Kampihan na talaga.
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Well, so much for newly-installed head coach Frankie Lim's Ginebra youth movement.

In a trade that comes as manna from heaven in the middle of some Arabian dessert for those involved and their supporters, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel has sent the little-used pair of Dylan Ababou and James Forrester to Barako Bull Energy Cola for the team's 2015 PBA 1st round draft pick (which is projected to be somewhere from the 4th to 5th).

For Ginebra, this spares the new coach from the burden of being asked by the thousands of kabarangays in having to play the two when they still have some more established, somewhat "immovable" veterans on the roster. Now, the team's rotation of shooting guards and wings involve "only" Mark Caguioa, Jayjay Helterbrand, Joseph Yeo, Josh Urbiztondo, Mac Baracael and Chris Ellis. And based from what we saw in the Rain or Shine quarterfinals game, it seems that management is still convinced that Caguioa, Helterbrand and Urbiztondo have a lot left in the tank and deserve to play together some more (ugh).

This, plus the fact that they could possibly get a top-tier rookie in the 2015 PBA Draft-- anyone from U.E.'s Roi Sumang, DLSU's Norbert Torres, San Beda's Garvo Lanete and maybe some hipster pick in one of those ASEAN Basketball League Fil-Ams not named Moala Tautuaa.

Resbak ng Barangay

Ang gulo ng barangay ninyo.

Pero hindi namin kayo masisi, maraming turuan, bulungan, palakasan at anjan na din yung "ano ang nagawa mo para sakin/ samin" na pag-iisip. Ngayon, susubok na naman kayo ng bagong liderato na ang paniniwala ay magbabalik sa dating sigla ng barangay. Ilang beses na ba kayo nagpalit ng pinuno sa loob ng isang kampanya? Paanong magkakaroon ng pagbabago at progreso kung halos tatlong buwan pa lang e palit na agad ng sistema?

Mabuhay ka, bagong Ginebra head coach Frankie Lim!

PBACC The Semifinals: Rain or Shine vs Meralco

Powerade Pilipinas reunion, sort of
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

While the other series will be a beautiful case of high-caliber basketball, this one between the Rain or Shine Elastopainters and Meralco Bolts will be a dog fight.

Not because they are not as well-coached as Purefoods and Talk'n'Text, no, but because both teams run a blue collar, smash mouth kind of basketball that is often wild and woozy (yet highly entertaining, specially when Beau Belga forgets his manners or Gary David waxes hot from down town).

But you know what? If they play their cards right, whoever wins this series will most likely be fresher come the PBA Finals since you just know that the other series will take its toll at some point on either Purefoods or TNT not just physically, but mentally.

As long as the Elastopainters/ Bolts can make this series a short one, of course.

PBACC The Semifinals: Talk'n'Text vs Purefoods

Puso kontra tapang
(Photo credits to the owner)

From a championship pedigree standpoint, you could very well conclude that this is THE PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals match-up disguised as a Best-of-Five Semifinals pairing between two of the winning-est teams in the last five-six years.

The Talk'n'Text Tropang Texters, coached by Jong Uichico versus the Purefoods Star Hotshots and coach Tim Cone.

Pilipinas basketball does not get any better than this: the core of the Gilas Pilipinas national team (from players to brain thrust) versus a team that is so good (as proven by their Grand Slam credentials), one could actually argue for them as a version of Gilas in an alternate universe. While the Texters enjoy proven depth with its veterans, the Hotshots' 2nd unit of mostly up-and-coming names are certified by the number of titles under their belts (which, from what we have seen thus far, they seem to keep wanting to add to).

The kids are all right

You either die a hero,
or live long enough to be the villain
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Last night the PBA Commissioner's Cup 8th seed Barangay Ginebra San Miguel was dealt yet another crushing quarterfinals loss, this time by their new-found box office adversaries, Rain or Shine Elastopainters.

We are going to leave the uncertainty of how the endgame played out to the experts (Mike Dunnigan didn't have possession, Jeffrei Chan poked the ball at maybe a millisecond before the shotclock buzzed, was out of bounds, went in to chase after it while every one else was waiting for a whistle that never came, took a step into the court from outside, took another step, retrieved it and went for the easy lay-up), what we'd like to discuss is every thing else that was wrong for Ginebra moving forward.

Like Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand, two former PBA MVPs, playing heavy minutes despite their mileage (Caguioa is 35, Helterbrand 38). You say that they were making baskets out there for the team, sure, but so would a Joseph Yeo and L.A. Tenorio had they been given the minutes and touches.

PBACC The Quarterfinals: Purefoods vs Alaska

"Siya na naman?!"
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Do you believe in fate?

It seems that it cannot be helped. Purefoods head coach Tim Cone will never, truly be rid of his Alaska ties (we doubt he'd want to anyway), and now he finds himself squaring off with the very same team in the 2015 PBA Commissioner's Cup Quarterfinals if only to win another championship.

Coach Tim has done a marevelous job in adding substance to what was once simply a "glamour" team. He taught every one from James Yap to Jerwin Gaco how to play the right way, how to read and react to offenses and defenses, and to basically how to keep winning.

On the other side of the fence, Coach Alex Compton inherited a team of hungry young rascals and veterans, shaped them into something of a more cohesive unit who enjoy playing together. Now, JVee Casio and RJ Jazul don't shun away Calvin Abueva whenever he pesters them for the basketball. Now, Abueva knows where he's supposed to be and how he can help. Yes, the antics are still there, but finally, they have allowed "Abueva to be Abueva."

Which means all hell is going to break loose when Abueva crosses paths with Yap.

PBACC The Quarterfinals: NLEX vs Meralco

Blue collar basketball
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

"Walang kapatid-kapatid, walang kaibi-kaibigan."

Sorry. Couldn't help it. Couldn't help quoting a former President turned Mayor-on-redemption on this one simply because it will be the first time (in recent memory) that we'll see two of Team MVP's squads facing one another in the Playoffs (something that we've been quite used to with Team SMC). Basically, this is the Team MVP version of a Purefoods vs Ginebra, with Talk'n'Text playing the crown jewel San Miguel role.

Two teams that are built on fundamentally sound basketball, no superstar plays, no isolation-heavy star guards trying to carry his team onto greatness. Just good, clean almost college-like basketball featuring two of the more disciplined coaches out there today in Meralco's Norman Black and NLEX's Boyet Fernandez.

PBACC The Quarterfinals: Talk'n'Text vs Barako Bull

Buddy and Sol(s)
(Photo credits to the owner)

A long-established league powerhouse battling the playoffs' darkhorse/ underdog/ "they're not supposed to be there!" A team with so much firepower, you could field in their 2nd unit and have them play 3/4s of the game and they'll probably still be good enough to score 90 points at least. A team with so little firepower, they are actually forced to play two point guards and hope one of them feels like scoring game by game.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet your favorites to make it to the next round: Jayson Castro's Talk'n' Text Tropang Texters versus the over-achieving, Sol Mercado's Barako Bull Energy Cola.

PBACC The Quarterfinals: Rain or Shine vs Barangay Ginebra

Angas ng Tondo vs The Spark
(Photo courtesy of Inquirer.net)

For all intents and purposes, there is definitely no love lost in this quarterfinals pairing of the number 1 seeded Rain or Shine Elastopainters, which enjoys a twice to beat advantage, and the 8th seeded Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

The Elastopainters are the league's hottest team, with arguably the most consistent performance in his young career EVER from star guard Paul Lee, while Ginebra just keep on losing winnable games much to the dismay of their fans. There's also the whole "L.A. Tenorio tantrum watch" -- you know, when the man tasked to lead the Ginebra faithful to glory stomps his foot, makes that stink face and just brushes off everyone on the floor including his own coaches and teammates.

Can Ginebra do it?

Yes, they can.

Will they be able to do it?

Denied, Eliminated

Giants in the PBA
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

It's tough playing in the PBA-- with the demand and expectation of management, family, friends and fans. To try and play at a very high level, and once there, to maintain it all throughout a grueling season of limited respite and recluse.

While eight teams will carry on into the Playoff rounds of the ongoing PBA Commissioner's Cup, four will be denied entry. Three of which have already been made clear to the masses: newcomers Kia Carnival and Blackwater, and newly-minted PBA All Filipino Cup titlist San Miguel Beer. The fourth one will be decided later on today, if it's going to be the AFC 2nd placers Alaska, or Global Port (depending on how Alaska's match versus Barangay Ginebra turns out).

Silver lining of course is that the four eliminated teams of this conference (plus performance in the 1st conference, so there's some math to be done) will be allowed to bring in imports of unlimited height (compared to the Top 8's 6"5 ceiling) plus an Asian reinforcement of their choosing (6"4 ceiling).

Here we take a look at what went right and wrong for the three teams that have been eliminated, and how their chances are going into the next conference.

Trade reaction: Nuyles for Cervantes

Fair trade. Yes?
(Photo courtesy of Spin.ph)

We are for parity and fair basketball transactions.

That is why we cannot help but laud Kia Carnival and Blackwater Elite, both PBA newcomers, for the recent trade that basically addresses both teams' needs-- sending Alex Nuyles to the Carnival and Reil Cervantes to the Elite. No under the table shenanigans. No near-retirement veteran for up-and-coming star. No top draft picks and cash.

Just a basketball man's man trade featuring two guys who can help their new teams right away.

On paper at least.

Don't call it a comeback

Kala niyo sawa na kami mag-champion?
(Photo credits to the owner)

Coach Cone was not brought into the Purefoods' fold to win a championship. He wasn't brought in to simply win a PBA Grand Slam (though that could have easily been one of the targets/ objectives).

He was brought in to (re)establish a (new) dynasty in Philippine basketball.

Name any past or present San Miguel Corporation-employed head coach in the last ten to fifteen years that was given as much leeway and power as Cone. You'll have to go back two more decades or so, to the days of the iconic Robert Jaworski, Sr. and Ron Jacobs, to truly understand how much creative control and power Cone was given when it comes to the direction of the team, player trades and acquisition and basically what sort of product to put on the basketball court.

The Big Chill

The High Headband
Photo courtesy of Sports5

Beau Belga's now legendary crotch-chopping of thousands of Ginebra die-hards aside, the Rain or Shine Elastopainters' have benefited largely from head coach Yeng Guiao's "gut-feel" to bring back the multi-skilled Wayne Chism to replace burly big man Richard Jackson as their PBA Commissioner's Cup reinforcement.

Though Jackson was quite the force in the paint, helping the Elastopainters to a 3 wins - 2 losses slate, Guiao was always on the lookout for Chism who was unable to start the conference due to prior international commitments. But once Chism was available, Guiao stayed true to his word (reports have it that he told Chism that he'll be back as RoS import despite a so-so 2013 campaign wherein he posted averages of 33.8 mpg, 17.8 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 2.8 apg) to give the high headband-wearing import another chance.

In 3 wins and 1 loss so far, Chism has averaged a stellar 38.7 mpg, 33.5 ppg, 15 rpg, 2.3 apg statline while providing the Elastopainters with whatever is required on the floor. If it's defense, Chism patrols the paint like a natural power forward-center would. On offense, if they need him to play up top and iso, then he can do that with ease and even play point-forward. If the team needs him to play off the ball, then he just goes down into the paint and waits his turn.

KKS Gilas 3.0 (Part 3)

The future of Philippine basketball
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Ladies and gentlemen, our KKS Gilas 3.0 starters:

C Junemar Fajardo
Gilas coach Tab Baldwin didn't have to beat around the bush on Fajardo's inclusion. As it stands, Fajardo is the present and future of Philippine basketball much like Yao Ming was for China and Hamed Haddadi is for Iran. He is the pillar in which the program will be anchored on for the foreseeable future, alongside fellow giant Greg Slaughter. In the instances wherein he played in FIBA World, Fajardo showed that he has the smarts and muscle to hold his own in the paint against legitimate NBA big men.

Thoughts on Ginebra vs RoS

"Pre yan ba yung Ginebra na
kinalakihan natin? Lambot e."

- For all things Mark Caguioa, and that mini run he fueled in the 4th quarter to push them to a 79-71 lead, he's no longer the same guy who should be playing 25 plus minutes a game. He's no longer the star of this franchise. Paul Lee was killing it last night, finishing with 18 points and 11 assists while playing point and shooting guard. Ginebra's coaching staff recognizes Caguioa's limitations on defense so they "hid" him and put Ellis on Lee, but that whole statement is just sad.

- Ginebra enjoyed a big lead in the 1st quarter thanks primarily to going exclusively inside to Mike Dunnigan and Greg Slaughter. When RoS started running, Ginebra went small to match. In a game of small ball, based on rosters along, RoS has a slight advantage no matter how you look at it (because Wayne Chism can run, Dunnigan can't, and Belga can anchor the offense and defense at the 5 spot, while the 4 man by default for Ginebra- Japeth Aguilar, Mac Baracael, Chris Ellis, are STILL all too raw skills-wise).

- L.A. Tenorio is practically useless these days. His offense is inconsistent, and he can't guard Paul Lee. Where was Josh Urbiztondo? Not saying he can guard Lee, just asking.

KKS Gilas 3.0 (Part 2)

Ang Dalubhasa RdO
(Photo courtesy of Paul Ryan Tan)

A lot of thought should go in the creation of your second unit-- specially if you have a free hand to choose from an entire pool of PBA, professional and amateur talent. But, the line-up shouldn't be made just because they are the best available talent after the 1st unit.

No, you need balance.

You need your 2nd unit to compliment the 1st: if your starting five loves to run, then you need to make a decision of you want your 2nd unit to be able to do the same to maintain the momentum, or if your 2nd unit will be of a different style to help keep opponents guessing (read: Tim Cone's current Purefood's 1st line-up which is offensively gifted, and the 2nd unit which plays stingy defense first and foremost).

With all things considered, and with Abueva and Sangalang as our 11th and 12th guys on the roster, here's the 2nd unit of the KKS Gilas 3.0:

Trade reaction: Espinas for Baclao, 2017 pick

"Iwan mo ko, bro?"
(Photo courtesy of Spin.ph)

News have it that the Alaska Aces have decided to send gung-ho power forward Gabby Espinas to GlobalPort Batang Pier for Nonoy Baclao and a future draft pick. This comes as a bit of a surprise since prior to his injury, Espinas has enjoyed a "revival" of sorts with the Aces as its resident enforcer and bossom buddy to star Calvin Abueva. On the flip side, Baclao continues to milk every ounce of a professional career from being part of a UAAP Dynasty (much like his brethren JC Intal of Barako Bull).

Though it's an unfair comparison since Espinas was sidelined, here are both men's numbers: GE 8 season games played so far averaged 12.6 minutes, 8.3 points, 5 rebounds on 54.1% shooting. NB averaged 13 minutes, 3.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and shot 40.3%.

One guy is injured/ coming off an injury while the other is basically just a token warm body who somehow finds a way to get his minutes. Almost like it's mandated in his bloody contract that he needs to play 10 minutes a game at the very least no matter how little he does on the floor for the team.

Uphill climb for the Beermen

From A to Z, Reid does it all for SMB
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

The good: the San Miguel Beermen are starting to actually resemble the PBA Philippine Cup champion version of themselves. The bad: they need to win their remaining games to get proper Playoff positioning, and teams to not win so much. The ugly: one of their two remaining games will be against old rivals, Talk'n'Text Tropang Texters which is currently seated atop the standings with a 6-2 win-loss record.

So that's the Beermen's current predicament: an uphill climb to stay relevant in what was supposed to be "phase 2" of their Grand Slam quest this season. If they can't win against the Texters (and Global Port), then they'll have to pray the best they can and maybe go on a tour de force of church visits from Manila to Pampanga to Cebu to hope that they can make the playoffs (re: other teams start losing, scoring margin computations, etc.).

But can they do it?

KKS Gilas 3.0 (Part 1)

In this three-part series, we want to discuss the 12 men who we believe deserve to be on the final Gilas 3.0 roster headed by coach Tab Baldwin. First off are the 11th and 12th players who we feel should be more of the "utility" kind in terms of being able to contribute in so many ways and not just being typecast into one specific role (re: scorer, defender, rebounder).

Though the 11th and 12th guys don't always get to play or enjoy heavy minutes, we feel that the way the sport is being played nowadays is to make full use of every single man on the roster. This way, scouting reports in short tournaments (such as FIBA's) is thrown out the window because teams are unable to readily prepare for all 12 guys on the court. Against two, three players sure. But having to plan and set up defenses to combat 12 individual styles?

Not sure if even the best coaching minds could solve that one.

So without further ado, here's our pick for Gilas 3.0's 11th and 12th men:

Reinventing the PBA All Star Game

Here's something for all you fantasy basketball lovers out there and in a way, to "revitalize" the PBA All Star Weekend and increase the stakes a bit: a pocket tournament that will feature the best that all of the league's factions have to offer.

We all know that there are two major forces that is moving the PBA: Team San Miguel Corporation (San Miguel, Ginebra, Purefoods) and Team Manny V. Pangilinan (Talk'n'Text, Meralco, NLEX). We also know that there are two full-fledged independent teams in Alaska and Rain or Shine while rumors are rampant about how Barako Bull and GlobalPort are both farm teams looking to sell its prized players to the highest bidder. And since the jury's still out on newcomers Blackwater and Kia (plus they don't really have top-tier talent at the moment), we opted to include them into the "farm" All Stars.

Hope this fun little boredom-killer of a post gets you excited and who knows, it might just be picked up by the pros as a possible money-making machine. Because seriously, who really wants to see the "North" play against the "South?" Might as well just rename it to "Manila-Pampanga et. al. vs Cebuanos and friends."

The Ineligibles

Arguably one of the best Fil-Am talent
out there (he's in the NBA!)
but unfortunately, #FIBAineligible

With the local media trying its very best to squeeze any buzz out of Los Angeles Lakers' Filipino-American rookie Jordan Clarkson recent comments that he would "love to represent the Philippines," it should be noted that under current FIBA rules, he is ineligible to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas 3.0 or any version that comes after until that FIBA rule is amended.

Sorry to burst your bubble folks.

Just a few minutes ago, former Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes went on Twitter to post how simple it is for families living overseas who are seriously considering having their sons play for us:





Of course, this is easier said than done since this information is probably not passed on to every single Overseas-based Filipino family. Chances are, they'll only learn about this when their sons start making waves in the basketball scene (wherever they are) which is almost, always when it's too late (because we don't really see any 10-15 year old kids being scouted at such an early, under-developed age owing to all the logistics and financing needed for it).

What's wrong with Alaska?

The struggle is real for Baguio and co.
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

For all the heat that the PBA Philippine Cup champions San Miguel Beermen are getting for their current pitiful PBA Commissioner's Cup campaign, the team that they beat-- the Alaska Aces, are not doing so well either. The team has been under-performing and uncharacteristically not "fighting" in games that many are starting to buy into the rumors and ask if this team is really going to be sold soon thus their players' lackadaisical approach.

Well, blame it on the import that they started the conference with. After that, blame it on the players simply being tired from that grueling, balls-out of a PBA Finals that was one of the best any Filipino basketball fan has seen in years. Blame it on head coach Alex Compton for failing to better prepare his team this conference. And then, only then, yes, maybe blame it on that ugly rumor that keeps lingering around.

The Aces opted to start the 2nd conference with a defensive-minded import in the 6"9 DJ Covington who played four games and averaged somewhere around 22 ppg and 9 rpg in 29 minutes which resulted in a 2 wins-2 losses record. The knock on Covington was that he wasn't much of a "go-to-guy" for the Aces, but then again he was already long established as a guy who plays defense first, offense second. Basically, he's built for Coach Compton's #wenotme style as another rock solid role player. Plus, 22 and 9 doesn't seem all that bad if you look at the number of minutes he plays versus other imports who go almost without rest.

2015 PBA All Star Game: Thoughts on the South Squad

On to the 2015 PBA All Stars South Selection then; surprisingly though the fans (and coaches) got this one right more than the North squad so we're quite happy and impressed with it all. Though there are still some snubs here and there (Alex Cabagnot and Vic Manuel to name a few), it's all for the fans anyway so let's all just have fun with this shall we?

Starters

Mark Barroca, PG, Purefoods
Can't have the starting point guard of last season's Grand Slam winning team off the list yes?

James Yap, PG, Purefoods
Mr. PBA. He is the man that has willingly accepted the role of torch-bearer for the league, and despite all the criticisms, he deserves everyone's applause. Kasi kung si Caguioa ang ginawang torch-bearer, e di ang aangas na siguro ng buong liga, at lahat ng manonood ngayon nakaka alienate din yun sa fans na hindi naman lahat e gusto maging gangsta.

Greg Slaughter, C, Ginebra
Seven foot wonder, double double guy. A little soft, but skilled. Pinoy Pau Gasol-lite.

Junemar Fajardo, C, San Miguel
Another yes. I'd like to see this combo for Gilas 3.0, not alternating, but starting. TOGETHER. Get a 6"8 naturalized scorer who can play some D at the wing and we're good.

Asi Taulava, C NLEX
Wait. Another center? But hey, who doesn't love Asi? Specially if this is indeed his last ASG.

2015 PBA All Star Game: Thoughts on the North Squad

The PBA Commissioner's Cup will be taking a brief respite from all the high-octane action and "Joke-gate" as they take the PBA All Star Weekend to Palawan as a fitting way of thanking their fans (that's you and me) while also recognizing some of the best players today.

Now while we don't want to rain on any one's parade here, we wish that the PBA would actually go back into bringing in the "best of the best" to play in the ASG instead of merely making it a "wide open, who's got more fans to vote you in even if you're a bit player" race. Looking at both starting line-ups for the North and South teams, there are quite a number of guys who honestly shouldn't even be starting based on stats and overall impact for their mother teams.

"E sikat e."

Let's take a look at the North Squad: