The People Vs Calvin Abueva

Wouldn't be surprised if they
called this foul on Abueva.
Seriously. (Photo courtesy of Sports5)

What's in a name?

Turns out, a season's worth of flops, aggressive play and unapologetic behavior on way to a PBA Rookie of the Year citation is going to get you under a bad light in terms of PBA sanctions and what not. To make matters worse, it seems that this ill reputation is something that can't be shed after a season-- the blasted thing carried over to the on-going PBA Philippine Cup apparently.

So when the subject of this piece, the Alaska Aces' reigning PBA ROY Calvin Abueva and the Meralco Bolts' Jared Dillinger figured in an awkward scuffle just days ago, everyone in the room knew that fines were going to come in by way of the diligent PBA Commissioner Chito Salud.

What we didn't expect was how ridiculous the penalties would be.

Rise of the Kraken

The Kraken's just begun
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Born of deep sea legend, the Kraken surveys his newfound domain where all are prey, where he is king. He stands tall, constantly making a mockery of those who dare defy his rule. This is a new era; this is the time for beasts and monsters.

But to the Kraken, they all bow.

The Petron Blaze Boosters’ 6”11, 269 lbs giant rookie Junemar Fajardo might have started his pro career on an uneven note no thanks to a serious lower body injury that required surgery, but there’s no question that he is here and that he is, unlike his moniker-namesake, for real.

PBA GovCup Finals: Petron deals first blow

If Game 1 of the PBA Governor's Cup Finals is a preview of things to come, then we're going with Petron Blaze's Alex Cabagnot and Marcio Lassiter when they said that they'd prefer a sweep of San Mig Coffee.

Lutz and Lassiter proved to be
a handful for San Mig Coffee
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Riding on the hot hands of Chris Lutz late (12 points) and the superb triple double effort of import Elijah Millsap (35 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists), Petron Blaze had control of the game save for a mini San Mig Coffee run in the 3rd canto. The disparity in personel became quite obvious early when Petron Blaze's 6"10 rookie Junemar Fajardo was pretty much having his way inside versus 6"5 counterpart Marc Pingris.

San Mig Coffee tried to address the Fajardo conundrum by fielding in little-used 6"9 big man Yancy de Ocampo, but he proved a little too skinny. Also, instead of pulling Fajardo out of the paint by staying by the high post to three point line area where he is more effective, de Ocampo went with his pride and opted to challenge the youngster mano-a-mano (in which he failed rather miserably).

PBA 2012 Draft: The Do-Over

What if teams were able to make a do-over?
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

And so we have come to the (near) end of another great professional basketball season for Philippine hoops: the country (behind some of its best, pro-players) was able to re-establish itself as a contender in the region, all the concerned basketball parties are in (or at the very least, seem to be) in unison and new names have come out of the collegiate and amateur ranks that will carry the winning tradition and proud Filipino fighting heart for the next decade or so.

Here we rank the 2012 PBA Draftees (1st round plus some promising names) based on how well they have performed this season (and going forward) vis-a-vis the team that should've/ could've picked them if they were able to go back in time. 

1 Petron - Calvin Abueva 

51 g 26.41 m 12.25 p 9.37 r 1.82 a 

The numbers, the minutes, the intensity-- it speaks for itself. At a modest 6"1 1/2 we dare you to name us anyone of the same height the last five years who can put up the same numbers AND change the tempo/ mood/ feel of the game simply by checking in OFF THE BENCH. As loaded as Petron is, you just cannot argue with talent and heart. You don't pass up on a guy like this, you make room for him and trade away the others to fill in whatever hole you have. Yeah. The Beast is here to stay, ROY-MVP or not.

2012 PBA Draft pick order: 2nd, Alaska

Demoted

Basics din muna pag may time
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Forget what everyone around you is saying, being sent to the PBA D-League is a "clear as a warm glass of morning piss" demotion.

There's just no other way to say it: PBA Air21 Express backup point guard Simon Atkins, picked 21st overall in the 2012 PBA Draft, has been demoted by his mother team and will be suiting up for their DLeague affiliate, Arellano University. Now, if you are an AU alumni or fan, don't expect this to be manna from heaven.

The Beast: Chasing History

Can The Beast mirror The Tower of Power?
(Photo courtesy of PBA InterAKTV)

Ever found yourself in a race against time? Trying desperately to catch up to someone or something you love or hold dear, finding yourself now at only an arm's length-- may be less. The dream is almost at hand, literally.

The Alaska Aces' mercurial rookie power forward Calvin "The Beast" Abueva, in just two PBA conferences (41 played games to date), has already proven himself worthy of his collegiate moniker. He has already hushed even the harshest of critics. All his haters are now busy just ignoring his antics, or simply waiting for the next epic "flop" that they can blow up over social media.

They no longer question his game. His mental toughness. His desire to be the best. They question the flops, but they no longer question Abueva.

The Future of the PBA

All eyes on Talk 'n' Text
(Photo courtesy of PBA InterAKTV)

When it comes to building dynasties be it in the real world or in the realm of Philippine basketball, there's always a need for continuity. For someone to start laying the foundations on the way to creating a "Golden Era" which will either face an expected downfall or continue on its path of excellence.

Since we were exposed only to the PBA of the 90s and beyond, we can only pull on a couple of PBA Dynasties: Alaska, San Miguel, Purefoods and Talk 'n' Text. These teams enjoyed a two to three year championship contender window based on its personnel. Other teams managed to win a title or two owing to good fortune (Red Bull: Yeng Guiao, Santa Lucia: Kelly Williams, Ginebra: Mark Caguioa, etc.), but the four mentioned above were more or less the perennial contenders duking it out time and again.

They were built slowly and methodically, pieces were brought in to fit certain holes and not simply "made to fit." There was continuity and camaraderie. There was little to no change in the personnel or the way things were ran. These are some of the things that make a Dynasty. And today, we take a look at three PBA teams that are on their way (if not already there).

On the shoulder of giants

Emman Monfort stands tall
(Photo courtesy of PBA InterAKTV)

In a decade long war,  an army already on the losing end lies in wait. Grizzled veterans, keeping an eye out on any semblance or opportunity for greatness. Underlings, green and raw, bold and battle crazy looking to make a name for themselves.

One of them watches the trenches, waiting for daylight. One of them breathes in the thick and heavy air of dawn, unshaken, unnerved. His name is Emman Monfort, he of the Barako Bull Energy Cola, drafted and almost forgotten because of his diminutive 5"7 frame and limited skill set. He was over-looked because at the time, he deserved to be. He was picked 16th overall in the 2012 PBA Draft because there were more established collegiate names before him. All that was really going for him was his Ateneo de Manila University pedigree, the winning tradition, the championships.

PBA Draft Class 2012: Young and restless

The Kraken more role player than star?

Now that Calvin Abueva, picked number 2 overall by the Alaska Aces and arguably the most feared/ revered player of the lot, made his PBA debut with last night's 88-86 triumph over the Petron Blaze Boosters, we can proceed with an initial report on how the rookies have fared so far.

1. June Mar Fajardo (Petron)
He's been solid, but obviously still raw. Not to say that he doesn't know what to do with the basketball unlike big guys before him such as E.J. Feihl, James Walkvist and Samigue Eman, but right now it would be safe to say that Fajardo is more on the track to be the next Sonny Thoss than Danny Ildefonso (not that it's a bad thing). Petron's been wasting some of its sets in trying to get the big man ready down low, but they're better off running and Fajardo doing the dirty work.

PBA Draft 2012: Top 10

Mahangin ba sa labas?

10. Those college ties run deep
Alaska getting Calvin Abueva (they have his college coach Topex Robinson on staff). Simon Atkins to Air 21 (Franz Pumaren). Jason Escueta to Talk 'n' Text (Norman Black).

9. Height is might  
Don't know if this will stick, but the first and second rounds' average height must be around the 6"3-6"4 area. A lot of wings and bigs there.

8. Petron has the best and worst hairstyles in the league
Yes to Alex Cabagnot's I don't know. Pony tail? No to Alex Mallari's bed hair.

PBA Draft 2012: The Others

Okay, so we've written about the First Round picks and how they could help their respective teams earlier. Now it's time to take a quick look at the second to sixth round picks and playfully predict where they might be at year's end.

Second round

1. Air 21 - Yousef Taha (will battle Bitoy Omolon for minutes... and find that he's still soft around the corners)
2. Barako Bull - Dave Marcelo (most likely to be traded to an MVP team)
3. BMeg - Jewel Ponferrada (kiss Jerwin Gaco's minutes goodbye)
4. GlobalPort - AJ Mandani (is going to shock the world and steal JVee Casio's minutes)
5. Barako Bull - Lester Alvarez
6. Barako Bull - Emman Monfort (traded to Talk 'n' Text or sent to the ABL)
7. Meralco - Kelly Nabong (will have friendly encounters with Marc Pingris, Beau Belga, Ogie Menor, et. al. all his sixth game in the PBA)
8. Barako Bull - Woody Co (will wish that he didn't lose all that weight but would also do a Ken Bono-- good offense + so-so defense = bench/ ABL)
9. Alaska - Raphy Reyes (will make Cyrus Baguio look soft)
10. Talk 'n Text - Jaypee Belencion (gunner! Needs to bulk up and play defense)

PBA Draft 2012 1st Round Grades

Can't teach height.

What a day for the future of Philippine basketball! Arguably one of the most potent and star-ready lot in the last decade, the PBA Draft 2012 went all six rounds-- with the rechristened Barangay Ginebra San Miguel out to try point guards by the dozen.

First round

1. Petron Blaze - June Mar Fajardo
This was a no brainer, though Fajardo is a three-year project at best, the guy stands 6"10 and has actual muscles that Bonel Balingit, E.J. Feihl, Marlou Aquino and Andy Seigle COMBINED could only dream of. Don't look for Fajardo to dominate the game ASAP, since there's a solid reason why he was glued to the bench in the ASEAN Basketball League. In the PBA, he's job has been defined for him before he was even called out to the stage: intimidate, rebound and block shots. If Coach Olsen Racela and 2x PBA MVP Danny Ildefonso could work their magic on Fajardo and speed up Fajardo's basketball IQ, then look for Petron to be a playoffs fixture for years to come.

Grade: A (Fajardo addresses the one position that Petron doesn't have a bunch of guys to choose from)

PBA Draft 2012: The Chris Tiu Factor

Tiu: Petron, Alaska or Meralco?

We already know where 6"9 big man June Mar Fajardo is going. The KKS Vince McMahon has already gone public with the Petron Blaze Boosters' choice for the number one overall pick of the promising PBA Draft 2012. It's not rocket science, they brought him in from Cebu, nurtured him and gave him international experience battling mostly American giants in the ASEAN Basketball League so  let the Boosters have their man.

What's becoming even more of a conundrum is who gets picked next. The Alaska Aces appear to be opening up to the idea of bringing in "The Beast" Calvin Abueva of the NCAA's San Sebastian Golden Stags. Arguably the best, most decorated and widely respected player among the applicants given his monstrous efforts on the basketball court.

Tiu-day's the day

The PBA needs Chris Tiu

Apologies for the elementary-level title. Had second, third, fourth and even eight thoughts before letting it be. There's really no other way to say it so... If Chris Tiu, former captain of the SMART Gilas men's national baskteball team, Ateneo Blue Eagle, magazine coverboy, posterboy, TV host, barangay kagawad and entrepreneur, wants in to the PBA, then there's no other time in but now.

Most of his Gilas teammates have moved on to the pros and enjoyed much success (JVee Casio, Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz) and even carried their respective fanbases with them. Tiu, ever the patriot, opted to stick it out with the Gilas team believing he'll still be an integral part of it (read: play heavy minutes) regardless of coach, teammates and other unseen factors.

Problem was, once Coach Chot Reyes took over for the sacked Rajko Toroman, Tiu faced even stiffer competition by virtue of the PBA veterans that were all set to join in.

2012 PBA Mock Draft

And this year's number one pick is...

With the 2012 PBA Draft just a little under a month away, it's that time of the year again to have some fun and "predict" which amateur standouts will be selected. Now, this writer won't be as brazen to say that he'll go 10/ 10, but the choices were made by following two simple and logical rules: 1) what the team needs right now 2) best player remaining in the draft.

Let's start things off with arguably the worst kept secret in the Filipino basketball community-- Junmar Fajardo being drafted first by the Petron Blaze Boosters. Is he the best player on the list? No. Does he deserve to go number 1? No.

But he will, and he should. 6"9 guys don't just fall off trees, specially a guy who has international experience and actually plays defense and rebounds first before thinking about scoring. Oh, and the guy has actual, ripped bicep muscles-- something you can't say about Ateneo's 6"11 wonder kid Greg Slaughter.


1. Petron Blaze Boosters - Junmar Fajardo
This one's a no-brainer. There's a reason why Fajardo didn't throw his hat into the 2012 PBA draft outright following a so-so ASEAN Basketball League campaign. Team San Miguel had a 66% chance of acquiring the Top Pick while the Aces had a slim 33% chance (thanks to the wonders of the PBA Lottery)-- this was seen too big a risk by Noli Eala et al, so they waited until the last minute to give the Cebuano giant the go signal. Fajardo quickly fixes the Boosters' frontcourt problems with aging Danny Ildefonso and Dorian Pena not as effective as years back. With Fajardo as the anchor, Arwind Santos, Alex Cabagnot, Jay Washington, Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz can pretty much run the floor and not worry about being beaten on the boards.