PBA Philippine Cup Finals: Ginebra (1) vs TNT (3)

Author's note: Before we proceed, we would like to once again take this time to thank everyone who made the PBA Philippine Cup bubble. Sure, we made fun of certain teams and players on social media-- but that doesn't take away from how thankful we all are for being able to have something 'normal,' and how it took our minds away from this pandemic (if only for 3-5 hours a day).

So here we finally are. The PBA Philippine Cup (Bubble Season) Finals match-up pitting the Barangay Ginebra versus TNT Giga. The clear-cut favorites, going into the season following the injury to San Miguel Beer's living legend Junemar Fajardo which put a halt to their mighty romp.

On one side, you have last season's PBA Governor's Cup champions Ginebra which lost 7"0 slotman Greg Slaughter but ultimately gained another conference's worth of chemistry with ace guard Stanley Pringle. Where super scoring import Justin Brownlee left off, Pringle pretty much picked up together with new recruits veteran lefties Jared Dilligner and Jeffrei Chan. 

In the off-season they added promising rookie Arvin Tolentino and during the bubble Coach Tim Cone made full use of his roster by giving extended minutes to his younger players which allowed back-up center Prince Caperal to showcase his wares.

Then there's the TNT Giga.

They added the man we dub as 'The Natural' in Ray Ray Parks, Jr. And followed it up by adding much-improved defensive big Poy Erram while giving away next to nothing.

That's it. End of conversation.

PBA Bubble SF: Ginebra (1) VS Meralco (5)

"Papunta ka pa lang, pabalik na ako"
Photo credit: Slamonline.ph

We opened the other SF entry by saying that it has a lot of history. Well, this one's got an even longer tale-- although a lot upsided than the Meralco Bolts would hope for. 

Here's what we all know so far, since Chris Newsome was added to the Bolts' line-up they have managed to almost, always face-off against Barangay Ginebra in either the playoffs or PBA Finals. And if memory serves us correctly, the Bolts have never managed to beat Ginebra in any of those match-ups specially when the latter is at full strength. 

So, can the souped-up Bolts finally get over the hump and give coach Norman Black a series win over Tim Cone? 

That's a pretty tall order. 

Taller than Japeth Aguilar, even. 

PG L.A. Tenorio v Baser Amer 

Sure, Meralco has added the bruising Nard Pinto as Amer's back-up but even at Tenorio's advanced years there is just no comparing his consistent performance as Ginebra's lead point guard vs Amer's continued on-and-off showing. Some games Amer looks like the Jimmy Alapag protege, knocking down threes off the screen and making clutch plays, others he looks as though he's lost on the court. Tenorio? Whenever he's in, what he lacks in scoring he makes up for in heady plays, swinging the ball and being Japeth Aguilar's set-up guy. 

Adv. Ginebra 

PBA Bubble SF: Phoenix (2) VS TNT (3)

To win, The Beast
needs to be Unleashed
(Photo by: Inquirer Sports)

This one’s got a lot of history
.

Although, we expect everyone to say all of the right things if only to move on from that incident. You know: the Calvin Abueva vs Terrence Jones skirmish that turned into a dance-off? Oh, and the  Abueva vs Bobby Ray Parks, Jr.’s GF mouth-off?

Both incidents of course helped lead to the lengthy suspension of Phoenix’ mercurial star forward Abueva. To his credit, ‘The Beast’ has been on his bests behavior while in the bubble, even if some players are starting to get physical with him (shout-out to Magnolia’s Jackson Corpuz).

So yes, there is bad blood there. Abueva was even quoted about how he apologized to Parks during a chance encounter inside the bubble— an episode that was flatly brushed off by Parks. Just keep an eye on those two. Parks will most likely not engage Abueva, but we’re willing to bet the farm that come Game 3,4 or 5, these two will be reacquainted soon enough. 

So here’s what we know, by the numbers.

Phoenix is shooting 35% from deep (thank you Matthew Wright) to TNT’s 29% (they just keep shooting 3s or die trying). They are also moving the basketball at a very efficient rate, with 25 assists per game (versus 17 tournovers) thanks in large part to Abueva (7 per game) and Wright (6). Big man Justin Chua is also making a good name for himself, leading the league in blocks per game with 2.

So where does TNT have the advantage? 

Going Gaga over Giga

The Natural.
(Photo: Rappler.com)

Did you see what I did there? No? Too cheesy? Fine.

The TNT Giga are lording it over the PBA Philippine Cup with an unblemished record, thanks in large part to it's rejigged starting unit which in our POV could easily banner flag and country in any international meet. Perennial all star point guard Jayson Castro, Roger Pogoy, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Troy Rosario and the recently acquired JP Erram are all averaging double figures in a very well-balanced front.

And unlike their rivals, their San Miguel Beermen and the dreaded "Death Five," these guys aren't playing 38-40 minutes a night. Erram's averaging about 25 while Castro is logging in about 27 or 28. That pretty much tells you how good this Giga team is, when the established team ace (Castro) isn't even being forced to play (and do) so much on the court.

Rising Higher: Thank You Kelly

Thank you Kelly
(Photo: Inquirer.net)

This took a while to compose, mostly because this writer was caught up in all things pandemic and trying my best to keep a sane outlook in spite of the now regular "death alerts" on social media. It's pretty much academic by now, never a day goes by wherein you don't see one of your friends mourning the loss of a loved one.

"Condolence" is the new "Kamusta ka na?" in the year 2020.

So before we all start sulking again, let us celebrate the PBA career of one "Machine Gun" Kelly Williams, the former PBA MVP who opted to retire just a few weeks before the PBA restart instead of suiting up for the TNT Giga.

Overall, Williams' best body of work came in his first few years in the PBA. When he starred for the now defunct Santa Lucia Realtors (later on bought by today's Meralco Bolts) alongside aging stars Marlou Aquino and Dennis Espino. He led a team of underdogs, with teammates Denok Miranda, Bitoy Omolon, Paolo Mendoza and Joseph Yeo to a title and several deep playoff runs. When the Realtors were about to fold, they sent him to TNT with defensive hound Ryan Reyes where they would enjoy even more title runs together while quietly serving as TNT's pillars with Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro and Ranidel de Ocampo.

I remember watching Williams in the PBL, where his team (Viva was it?) was bannered mostly by UAAP powerhouse FEU stalwarts Miranda and chief rival Arwind Santos. Williams could run, rebound, and basically do all the things you'd want or dream of from a 6"7 wing. He didn't have much of a jumpshot, but prior to Williams we just haven't seen that kind of monster from a local (if Danny Seigle were a legit U.S. 2, then Williams is a 3 who bullied the smaller Filipino competition).

"Ako ang nagtanim, iba ang umani."

The PBA Philippine Cup Bubble

The Philippine Basketball Association is officially back-- condensed schedule, daily games, virtual fans (the first week is a beta run meant for PBA crew, family and friends as per a league official) and coaches wearing face masks.

"Pandemic ka lang, Pilipino kami!"

Initially, this writer was against the idea of the PBA carrying out another season during the pandemic. Thankfully, the NBA showed everyone that it could be done in a controlled environment with stringent practices in place (so in a way Aldin Ayo of UST was on to something-- no? Too early? Okay). So here we are, or here they are, playing games on a break neck pace, double headers everyday that leaves fans who have been dying to see their idols back on the court.

More than anything, these players, the coaches, the ballboys, the PBA as a whole, are heroes. Maybe not as much as the medical frontliners, but definitely up there when it comes to providing us fans with Grade A entertainment to help take our minds off this pandemic and the paranoia that it brings.

DMND.

Calvin Abueva.

Calvin Abueva.

Some say the troubled Phoenix LPG Fuel Masters wingman is the embodiment of all things Pinoy old school basketball. Others argue that he is an irritant, an uneducated, unfiltered troublemaker who seeks and thrives in all of the media attention.

Currently, he is serving an indefinite suspension-- the longest in league history, since June 2019. PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial has gone on record several times to say that there's a 'to do list' for Abueva to be able to have his suspension lifted, with the Final decision still up to the board. 

There are those who wish for Abueva to be reinstated, if only to be able to provide a decent living for his family, given the length of the days that he has already served. There are those who wish for the league to kick Abueva out of the PBA altogether, to serve as an example for what not to do as a professional basketball player.  

On the Sorsogon Bubble and Professional Student Athletes

Bubble popped.
(Photo by: Rappler.com)

If you are reading this, that means you are alive and well, going through the motions of the dreaded Covid-19 pandemic and the now six-month quarantine that has befallen our country. Just being alive, waking up to the voices of our loved ones, seeing their faces either in person or online, that's all that matters. If you have lost someone, my heartfelt condolences to you. 

I had a follower/ friend on @kilikilishot who succumbed to the disease. I just cannot recall his username at the moment ( Rest in Power @kotsleo ), but I was able to exchange a message or two with his loved one. I hope and pray that you are all doing well and safe. 

That's me, Angel V., the author, talking to all of you, with no BS. 

So for the longest time, specially when this blog shot up to fame thanks to a few popular readers retweeting and sharing (and some PBA names), I've shied away from discussing things that I'm not privy to or as well-researched of. For one, I've left the college basket-talk to better men and women-- those from Humblebola, Tiebreaker Times, Salascout, and the rest. Though some of them do sound more like a certain school's sports mouth piece as they mostly cover in-house. 

The Living Legend

June Mar Fajardo. 6x PBA MVP.
Photo: CNN Philippines

Author's note: Isn't it funny how just a week or two ago, most of us were scrambling, racing against time, trying our best to meet deadlines, submit reports, pay bills and so on? Now we find ourselves trying our best to live each day to the fullest, trying our earnest not to cross the line between being safe and paranoid altogether. 

Here is our long overdue take on the greatness of one Philippine Basketball Association player, an individual who, no matter what happens moving forward, has already cemented his legacy and name in just about every Filipino sports annals. 

Happy reading, and please do stay at home if you can. 

Just about every sports writer/ influencer/ fan/ blogger has already written about the PBA's unrivaled 6x Most Valuable Player June mar Fajardo. Of how a quiet 6"10 Cebuano rose to fame from the province, before moving to the ASEAN Basketball League as a sparingly used bench warmer (we can't even call him a role player at the time) and then the PBA. Sure, he still looks lost in the scheme of things whenever he is asked to play for flag and country. But when given the time, the play, the opportunity to show his wares, he has always handled himself pretty well against the best of them.

And not once did we hear any news of him not wanting to play. If he's healthy, he'll suit up. In spite of the fact that whoever's been coaching the national team, tends to run a more perimeter oriented style rather than making full use of Fajardo and the 6"11 import Andray Blatche.

He'll suit up for flag and country. No questions asked.

PBA GovCup Finals: Ginebra v Meralco

Act III
(Photo credit: ABS CBN Sports)

Our apologies for being a game late with our preview, though we are admittedly not as bothered because somehow, someway, this "trilogy" between the Meralco Bolts and their continued tormentors, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel feels as though it will go the distance.

Call it a gut feel.

Fine, for those who have been following our blog and Twitter accounts, we're currently at an abysmal 2 and 4 with our predictions. But hey, like the band Journey: "don't stop. Believing."

Hold on to that feeling.

*apir kung kinanta mo din*

Much has changed since these two teams first met in the PBA Finals. Meralco made sure to check all the boxes and dot all their i's by adding gunner Allein Maliksi, rim protector Raymond Almazan and bruiser Raymar Jose. There were a lot of times in the first two encounters wherein they really felt the absence of a perimeter gunner (Chris Newsome was all by his lonesome), a reliable big who is agile enough to keep in step with Ginebra's towering giants Japeth Aguilar and Greg Slaughter, and a young enforcer to help spell their throng of veteran power forwards.


Because really, Meralco has a knack for bringing in 35+ year old power forwards into the fold no? Reynel Hugnatan's still there. Ranidel de Ocampo came in. Just a bunch of old stars, and when they do get young blood, it's mostly the bit players that other teams discarded.

So really, it was their hulking import Allen Durham, Newsome, and backup guard Anjo Caram. Yes. No Baser Amer. He was flat out getting cooked by L.A. Tenorio out there. And if Game 1 of this Finals series has shown, Amer still can't guard Tenorio to save his life. And we're talking about an OLD Tenorio here, not the ultra quick Ateneo/ Harbour Center/ Alaska one.

Hopefully, the additions pan out. They have a great young forward in Bong Quinto, who had a terrible Game 1 but will most likely bounce back for the rest of the series.

On the other side of the fence, Ginebra's peaking at the right time. They started the conference a bit slow only to finish 3rd after the eliminations. Once in, they dismantled the distracted San Miguel Beermen before ending Northport's Cinderella story in the semis. All that despite going through some injuries here and there to their rotation guys, still having to incorporate Stanley Pringle into the mix and achieving a balance between him and super import Justin Brownlee.

Seriously, is there anything that Brownlee cannot do? Because by now, three or four years into his PBA career, he's obviously the measuring stick when it comes to imports right?

Brownlee as the do-it-all, high scoring, perimeter oriented barometer, Durham being the low post one.

Here are the match-ups:

LA Tenorio vs Baser Amer/ Anjo Caram
Here's the thing, Amer is Meralco's lead guy. They go where he goes. Unfortunately, he simply cannot stay in front of Tenorio. Which is odd considering his youth. He's just outgunned, outsmarted, outwitted at every turn. Caram makes up for it with his energy. Maybe the bigger Nard Pinto should be sent to check Tenorio and rough the vet up a bit. I mean, if they really want to win and all.

Stanley Pringle/ Scottie Thompson vs Chris Newsome
Sucks to be Newsome. This is his breakout party-- 3rd time's the charm right? He was great the first time around, he was good the last time... now he's stuck trying to keep in step with Pringle. Who is pretty much the best guard out there today. Bar none. And if that wasn't enough, there's the energetic Thompson, who is really Ginebra's X-factor as he is their primary 2nd ball-mover after Tenorio or Brownlee. The gaps in Ginebra's offense, when the ball needs to move from one side to the other, that's where Thompson comes in with the hockey assists. Low key, but disruptive if you're trying to stop Ginebra. And he rebounds like a mofo too.

Justin Brownlee vs Bong Quinto/ Allein Maliksi
I don't get the Magic Brownlee tag. Just call him Ginebra's Michael Jordan. Maliksi's practically useless when his shooting is off target.

Japeth Aguilar vs Raymond Almazan
Yay for Meralco, they got a rim protector who can spread the floor. But Aguilar's been on a different level since Coach Tim Cone arrived at Ginebra. Sure, he still bites on fakes, but he appears to be a bit tougher. Less erratic. More confident in attacking the rim (and simply jamming it in). Also, Japeth seems to play with more aggression whenever he faces off against Almazan. Even when Rakenrol was still with RoS.

Joe DeVance/ Greg Slaughter vs Allen Durham

That's about as one-sided of an affair as you can get. Which is tough on paper, but execution-wise, Meralco is running their sets more fluidly than Ginebra. Ginebra's players gets away with a lot because of their superb 1-on-1 talent, but you can see during their dry spells that they do have instances wherein they just don't know what set to run or who to go to. Well, save for iso-Brownlee or iso-Pringle.

But that's just us nitpicking really.

BUT, if you're Meralco, they were pretty much in control of Game 1 up until the 4th quarter when their starters obviously started to tire out as opposed to Ginebra who kept putting in fresh legs-- specially on Durham (DeVance and Slaughter kept taking turns in guarding him down low). So that's one, Meralco simply can't afford to have their key guys playing 33 minutes and up. Not when the name of the game is to try and stop Ginebra from busting open the gates.

X-factor: Joe DeVance, his high IQ and big bum on defense for Ginebra; Bong Quinto for Meralco

Prediction: Ginebra.