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.