The Future

The kids are all right (photo: Spin.ph)

Just earlier this evening, the Ateneo-led, all-amateur Gilas Pilipinas Men's Basketball Team is flying out to Belgrade, Serbia to compete in the FIBA Olympic Qualifiers. The team will be facing off against the hometown heroes and later on against the Domincan Republic. To say that this will be a tall order, would probably fit the bill both figuratively and literally.

So what are the expectations so far? 

Well, it would be nice if our boys could salvage a win, or at the very least, keep in step with these teams that are bringing in legitimate NBA players (Serbia has three to four if I remember correctly, including the titan-sized Boban Marjanovic).

Honestly, I wasn't expecting much from this team in the recent Clark Bubble. Sure, Tab Baldwin's back as the full time head coach, but they were missing some U.P. firepower by the names of Kobe Paras and Juan Gomez De Liano. To make up for this, they brought in more guys from Ateneo, while adding in representatives from DLSU and FEU. You'll have to forgive us for not being all too familiar with these kids outside of those who've already played a year in college. 

2021 PBA Mock Draft V 1.0

Photo: Tiebreakertimes.ph

We are admittedly a little late to the PBA Mock Draft Party, but it's mostly because the PBA has been taking its time when it comes to the Draft applicants specifically the Fil-Foreigners who may or may not have issues with some of their paperwork.

Though I understand the need for all the red tape, since no one wants to see another Fil-Sham-gate; how hard is it for legitimate Filipinos to produce paperwork? I mean, surely, everyone carries a passport, birth certificate and all right? 

Wag na natin kasi ipilit ung lolo/lola to the 5th degree. Pasensyahan na lang.

For now, we will operate through this Mock Draft under the pretense that ALL reported applicants are ineligible. This means, you will definitely see a lot of Fil-Foreigners in the mix in the First Round.

Let's get started:

1. Terra Firma- Joshua Munzon, SG

Currently, the clear-cut top pick in most mock drafts owing to his versatility on the floor, athleticism and no-nonsense style of play. He's the ideal fit to form a deadly run and gun triumvirate with fellow former top picks CJ Perez and Roosevelt Adams; which should prove to be very fun to watch (should they be allowed to play all together and you know, no one gets shipped out in 2021).

2. NorthPort - Jason Brickman, PG 

This guy needs to be in the PBA. He's an NCAA Division 1 assists leader OF ALL TIME for crying out loud. Speed, size, high IQ-- he still needs to work on his range, the only thing missing from him basically being a Jimmy Alapag clone. Also, just the kind of point guard that NorthPort needs to get the ball to Christian Standhandinger down low and take the pressure off Robert Bolick who is a natural 2 guard.

3. NLEX - Troy Rike, PF/C 

I'm just putting this guy here because he appears to be the kind of player any team under the MVP payroll almost always gets. The Wake Forest pedigree has boosted his stock for sure, maybe working under fiery coach Yeng Guiao and playing with veterans Asi Taulava and JR Quinahan will help speed up his development.

PBA Bubble Season Awards Reaction

Once again, hats off to the PBA and everyone who was involved in bringing back the league during the pandemic to help inspire and really give fans a sense of normalcy and outlet. They are all MVPs in our hearts.

That being said, here's our take on the Special Awardees who were recognized by the league in yesterday's online awarding:

Outstanding Rookie - Aaron Black (Meralco)

The 2nd generation PBA star performed quite well under the tutelage of his father, Meralco head coach Norman Black. While his numbers do not really stand out, he was pretty solid as a small forward/ shooting guard running mate to Meralco's resident go-to-guy Chris Newsome. 

Honestly, felt that Roosevelt Adams, though a bit underwhelming, made a good case for himself this season while playing for TerraFirma (lost in the mix after being forced to play center on numerous occasions). Ginebra's Arvin Tolentino was also pretty solid and IMHO if you're a rookie, and you can somehow crack Coach Tim Cone's starting five for whatever reason and not look like a tool, you should instantly be recognized for it. 

Post-PBA Bubble Thoughts

The Return of the Comeback in 2021

Happy New Year!

Here's a virtual hug and fist bump to all of our friends who continue to push through and soldier on in spite of the pandemic and this prolonged quarantine. This is probably for the best, although from where we're seated we could only hope and wish that our government continues to improve and learn where it can to be of better assistance to our countrymen. 

Okay, so we kind of blew it with the PBA Bubble Finals prediction. Though I did say that my gut feel was for Ginebra. I simply went with the more logical choice which was TNT who was rolling at the time and Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. who was looking every bit like the PBA superstar we all thought he'd become-- as early as what, four, five years ago?

Unfortunately, Parks, Jr. went down with an injury. The veteran anchor Jayson Castro followed suit and though RR Pogoy put up a valiant effort he was also hit by the injury bug. Ginebra? They stayed the course. Coach Tim Cone went to his trusted leader, L.A. Tenorio, to break down the TNT defense by outclassing his defenders.