Back to the one we love

The PBA is BACK!
WOW! Fantastic baby.
(Photo credit to the owner)

Though we were definitely upset over all the drama that still, fortunately, led to a silver medal finish for our Gilas 3, there is no point in denying that we will always be fans of the Philippine Basketball Association by default.

One; because we do not really see another Metropolitan Basketball Association rising out of the woodwork (until of course either Team San Miguel or Team Manny V Pangilinan pulls all of their teams out of the Asia's first basketball league), and two; because Filipinos in general are a fickle, forgiving lot (we are generalizing here, because this basically explains how and why troublemakers and borderline idiots get seats in the government).

So yes, we forgive you PBA for the Gilas 3 drama. But only because we are left with no other alternative (at the moment, once the NBA starts holding Global Games in Manila then all bets are off). Now that you've named a 17-man pool for the Olympic Qualifiers, we kinda, sorta, hate you guys less. We still hate some of the guys in charge, but not as much as before.

And we will forgive you for making up-and-coming emcee Abra look like a complete tool last Wednesday.

On to STAR vs Rain or Shine, NLEX vs Blackwater and Alaska vs Talk'n'Text then.

The PBA is BACK!

Rain or Shine vs STAR; 96-87
The first and only game played on opening day pitted the retooled RoS Elastopainters going up against the STAR Hotshots who vowed to play a more uptempo style under newly-installed head coach Jason Webb.

Let's just say that for the first three quarters, STAR looked like how Coach Jason envisioned: 2x PBA MVP James Yap waxing hot, youngsters Ian Sangalang, Mark Barroca and Alex Mallari proving that they are up to the task as the team's "new" Big 3 and veterans Marc Pingris and PJ Simon just picking their spots where they are most effective.

Then, when the 4th and final quarter came, RoS' cohesion and sudden length kicked in. For a while there, they looked like the same slow-burning, "keep it close" RoS bunch we've come to grow and love the last four seasons under Coach Yeng Guiao. Minus Paul Lee and with Jeff Chan struggling, we kind of expected them to lose. But Raymond Almazan, Beau Belga, JayR Quinahan and sophomore Jericho Cruz would have none of it.

With the RoS' frontline dominating the coming-off-injury Sangalang and still recovering from Gilas 3 Pingris, STAR started to unravel. They abandoned their team play and floor spacing in favor of one-on-one forays and with RoS sticking to Yap like glue, well, the youngsters were lost.

Still, a great debut for Coach Jason and the new-offense STAR. Just ran into a grizzled bunch that looks poised to make another deep playoff run.

Oh, and 2015 3rd pick overall Maverick Ahanmisi shouldn't be judged after only one game.

NLEX vs Blackwater; 90-86
Ho-hum. Nothing to see here. NLEX features an aging frontline with Asi Taulava and Enrico Villanueva and needs a huge shot in the arm if they are to contend realistically. Blackwater showed flashes and some fight, but at day's end, Blackwater is still Blackwater.

NLEX's Simon Enciso looks hella nice. Would give fellow youngsters Kevin Alas and Garvo Lanete a run for their money. This team needs to run. Really. Keep Taulava and Villanueva at center, and get a hybrid four. Just like how Coach Boyet Fernandez did back at Santa Lucia with Dennis Espino and Marlou Aquino rotating as his slow centers and Kelly Williams doing all the dirty work and running up and down the court.

Cliff Hodge to NLEX would be nice.

Raffy Reyes we see you homie.

Uh, too many manbuns in this one IMHO.

Marami ka pang kakaining bigas!
(Photo credit to the owner)

Alaska vs Talk'n'Text; 114-98
What the bloody hell?

The Aces looked like the Aces from last season, but with a huge adjustment: JVee Casio is now playing shooting guard and is actually SHOOTING the basketball while Chris Banchero is playing point guard while throwing in some rebounding too (probably to get that max contract he desires lol).

The Texters? They added a couple of youngsters and waited for Jayson Castro to pull them through. Well, Castro and Ranidel de Ocampo delivered, but in the times that they were gassed (owing to the Gilas 3 mileage most likely), the other guys couldn't deliver. Blame it on chemistry, since the team was doing quite well without Castro, RdO and Matt Rosser. Now, they suddenly have to hand over the offense to their returning stars and it kind of messed up their system.

Vic Manuel provided a lot of muscle in this one, and basically took every Texters not named de Ocampo to school in the paint: the list includes Harvey Carey, Larry Rodriguez and 2015 PBA Draft 1st and 2nd overall picks Moala Tautuaa and Troy Rosario.

Tautuaa looked a little lost in the pace, while Rosario was completely outmatched on the floor. Tautuaa's strength is face-up basketball, which didn't work since he didn't get his touches and Manuel (and Calvin Abueva) are not the best match-ups with their quick hands and feet (throw in Sonny Thoss and Noy Baclao who are established defenders in their own right). He doesn't have the low post game yet, or didn't show it too.

Rosario is a guy who we know is a relentless rebounder and solid shooter from deep. That's it at the moment. So far, even with Gilas and the 3x3, he's been asked to rebound and defend which he has done greatly. His biggest asset on offense though, which is being a stretch 4 and shooting from the outside, well, no one's really asked him to provide. We haven't seen Rosario camp out at the 3 point line (focus is probably on rebounding), which basically makes him a one-dimensional player that isn't much of a threat. His rebounding skills? Try to out-rebound Manuel, Abueva and Thoss in the post. It's not as easy as simply being active and 6"& against that lot.

They'll be fine. But they won't be overnight double-double stars, not at TNT anyway.

All in all, it was a great first two playing dates for the league. Attendance is a bit shaky, but the country's going through Typhoon Lando (and some Gilas 3 hate). Should be a fun and exciting season if Blackwater keeps playing competitively, and also Mahindra and Barako Bull.