(Unsolicited) Advise Ganda

Is this the year when
The Rocket finally takes off?
(Photo credits to the owner)

E di wow.

Since it's the Holy Week and every one outside of the BPO industry back home is on break, here is our way of reflecting and soul-searching (after fulfilling our Christian obligations of course). We list down the Top 5 PBA Players who need to reinvent/ adjust their game to maybe fulfill their potential as true basketball players, or even, superstars.

5. JC Intal, Barako Bull
Though he is having his best season to date with averages of 13 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists per game this season, we feel that there's still hope for the former UAAP Ateneo de Manila superstar than just being a household PBA role player. He has the pedigree, the body, the face, the athleticism and skillset to be a legitimate PBA superstar. He's even married to one of local showbusiness' hottest TV personalities. Basically, all of the tools to be a premier player. What's lacking in Intal is basic, ruthless aggression. Some players have it, some don't. Some guys like to get their hands dirty, get into the shaded area without a care for their bodies. Just as long as they get the job done. Some guys, well, they're happy with taking jump shots, easy lay-ups and dribbling up top to show their handles. Intal has shown a knack and willingness to get dirty back in college. We haven't seen it in the PBA thus far. To us, it's what has been keeping him from breaking through that "glass ceiling" of sorts.


4. Samigue Eman, Alaska 
Seriously, a 6"9 behemoth with a gym rep shouldn't be this bad and uncoordinated still in the PBA after being drafted 2nd overall in the 2007 PBA Draft. Now 33, it may be a little too late for Eman to blossom into a star but at the very least, he could and should be a solid back-up big man in the mold of Ginebra's Billy Mamaril. Unfortunately, we haven't seen it from the University of Mindanao stalwart since his team is loaded with either fundamentally-sound bigs in Sonny Thoss and Eric Menk, or firestarters Vic Manuel and Calvin Abueva all rotating at the frontline position. We can't help but wonder what if Eman had a real coach who took the time to train and develop him in the post, giving him the minutes and care.

3. Reil Cervantes, Blackwater
For all intents and purposes, we see Cervantes breaking out as this era's Enrico Villanueva. He is aggressive in the paint (almost to a fault), goes after each offensive play and doesn't mind trading elbows, knees, backhands and so on with other hard-hitting PBA big men. What we have been noticing from Cervantes is his lack of interest when it comes to defensive rebounding. He's there boxing out and battling when it's time for offensive rebounds, if only to ensure an easy putback, but he's just not there entirely when it comes to the other side. Villanueva wasn't a big rebounder as well, but no one really noticed thanks to his already PBA-ready, UAAP made name. Cervantes? He needs to work harder to get noticed, much like Rain or Shine's Jervy Cruz.

Air Force Ellis
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

2. Chris Ellis, Ginebra
How good is Chris Ellis, really? Is he a small forward or a shooting guard? He can make jumpshots. He can knock down set shot threes. He is acrobatic as hell and can jump right out of any building. But he looks lost. A lot. And not like Japeth Aguilar lost (more on this later), but really, lost. Like he'd be better off being isolated, going one on one-- except that he doesn't have the handles needed to break through defenders. He is an excellent finisher. Awful creator. That's what he is. The ceiling is endless for Ellis, if he improves on his handling, he could be a star (he should take notes from Joseph Yeo basically). If he worked on his set shot and just working the weak side, he could be developed into a specialist. If he masters the weak side, he'd be better than Calvin Abueva owing to his God-given athleticism, speed and height. There are no limits for Ellis really if he would simply pick a position: shooting guard, do-it-all small forward or hybrid power forward.

1. Japeth Aguilar, Ginebra
Dear Japeth, Hay Japeth. Ang tagal na ng romansahan nating ito, ano? Nakita na namin, kung ano talaga yung gusto mo, yung laro na sinasabi mo na mayroon ka na ayaw namin maniwala. Yung laro mo nung Philippine Cup last year. Yun. Yun ang Japeth Aguilar na hindi tugma sa laro na gusto namin para sayo, pero tangina ang galing mo non. Hybrid forward. Perimeter oriented, pero agresibo. Mautak. Pag maliit kalaban, tirahan imbis na postehan. Kung mabagal kalaban, kitakits na lang sa ring. Yun yon e. Pero ano nangyare? Asan na u? Nadepensahan ka lang ni Marc Pingris, nawalan ka ng kumpyansa? Sinumpa ka ba brad? Nagpalit ng coach, si Cariaso, sige, nawala ka sa plano kasi puros Slaughter ang priority ni Jet. Pero nung si Ato na ulit, itong conference, san ka na? Pakitaan mo ulit kami. Andun na e. Naniniwala na kami e. Ngayon gusto namin, dikit dikit na games gaya noon. May buzzer beater ka pa na tres di ba? Yung game winner? Balik mo lang yun. Tapang lang sa laro.