Golden Gilas

Photo: Rappler.com

The Philippines' men's basketball team finally did it. We brought home the Gold Medal in the 2023 Asian Games, our first since 1962, and our first medal finish in basketball since 1998.

And even before we set foot on the hardcourt, we were already met with the following challenges:

A roster that was constructed and finalized with only days left before the tournament. A coach who took on the job despite having such a short turnaround time (following his predecessor's resignation) and only a handful of players available from the World Cup roster. So-called veteran sports journalists and columnists throwing salt at the team and spreading rumors of a pullout and a 'new coach' in the background.

Once in China, we won two games while losing via a blowout to eventual Gold medal match dance partners, Rondae Hollis Jefferson and the Jordan men's basketball team. There were chemistry issues, some rotation, and offensive sets that looked lacking-- obviously from a lack of preparation and time together. But the team kept pushing forward, kept hustling. There was a blown 20-point lead versus Iran. And there was the huge 20-point comeback versus hosts China.

Oh, that China match was one for the books.

Trade reaction: Jervy Cruz to Ginebra

Third team after RoS
--all in one conference!
(Photo credit to the owner)

First thing is first, who is really in control?

Is it Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone, plucked from right under the noses of STAR Hotshots' management to right all things wrong with the league's most popular ballclub? Or is it team manager slash San Miguel Sports Director slash "I can get you banned indefinitely by the league" slash whatever he is into these days Alfrancis Chua?

Because from where we are seated, trading Rodney Brondial and a future pick for Barako Bull Energy Cola's Jervy Cruz does not look like much of a Tim Cone move.

Brondial is 24 years of age and a true 6"5, 210 lbs. banger who loves to gobble up rebounds be it on the offensive or defensive end. On the other side, Cruz is a 29-year-old former UAAP MVP who has struggled to find a niche in the pros and generously listed at 6"5 (more 6"3-6"4) and 220 lbs. If you take Cruz' offense (and collegiate accomplishments), then sure, he's the better player. But we doubt that he was brought in for his low post moves, since Ginebra is clearly dead set on running every single play through starters 6"9 Japeth Aguilar and 7"0 Greg Slaughter.

But Brondial has a lot of upside to him, despite playing limited minutes for Ginebra his entire time there.

What If: Tanduay Rhum Masters

Ano apelido ni Punisher? ... Ano.
Punisher Ano.
(Photo credits to the owner)

Somewhere in 1998-1999 the Philippine Basketball Association found itself in a bit of a bind no thanks to the sudden rise of the Metropolitan Basketball Association which was backstopped by network giant ABS-CBN. To combat this growing threat, the league welcomed a lot of new talent by way of the "direct hire" process as well as adding an expansion team financed by Lucio Tan, Jr.: the Tanduay Rhum Masters.

The Rhum Masters were making waves in the now defunct Philippine Basketball League, where they were earlier known as the Stag Pale Pilseners, winning championships left and right under a young and fiery pony-tailed coach named Alfrancis Chua and players like Marlou Aquino, Eric Menk, Cris Cantonjos and Mark Telan being part of the roster at one point or another. So "graduating" into the PBA was the next logical step. They were able to buy into the league, elevate 6 players directly from their PBL line-up and also acquire the 1999 top overall pick which would turn out to be one Earl "Sonny" Alvarado.

There were a lot of names on that 1999 roster, the ones that we remember the most being: Alvarado, Menk, Telan, Cantonjos, Jason Webb, Pido Jarencio and Jayvee Gayoso. So yes, that was a nice mix of young yet proven PBL talent, Webb, and two wise Ginebra sages.

Sorry for singling Webb out. But he was basically what Simon Atkins is today for NLEX (no offense, not a lot of stats, but serviceable).

Back to the story.

Resbak ng Barangay

Ang gulo ng barangay ninyo.

Pero hindi namin kayo masisi, maraming turuan, bulungan, palakasan at anjan na din yung "ano ang nagawa mo para sakin/ samin" na pag-iisip. Ngayon, susubok na naman kayo ng bagong liderato na ang paniniwala ay magbabalik sa dating sigla ng barangay. Ilang beses na ba kayo nagpalit ng pinuno sa loob ng isang kampanya? Paanong magkakaroon ng pagbabago at progreso kung halos tatlong buwan pa lang e palit na agad ng sistema?

Mabuhay ka, bagong Ginebra head coach Frankie Lim!

Learning curve

In a PBA Philippine Cup preview this writer previously wrote for SolarSportsDesk.Ph, we noted how Barangay Ginebra San Miguel was still a work in progress and even went as far as to rate them lower than their would be semifinals conquerors, the San Mig Coffee Mixers who had to "settle" for the 2nd overall pick (Ian Sangalang) in the 2013 PBA Draft compared to their 1st pick (Greg Slaughter).

We were chastised, called out and even swam the murky waters of blasphemy. That how we suddenly turned "haters" overnight and that Ginebra is THE team to beat given their towering frontline and supposedly retooled, more potent wing position.

This went on all throughout the conference (and rightfully so) thanks to Ginebra's run at 1st place of the standings. Athletic 6"9 beanpole Japeth Aguilar finally had his chance to showcase his talents while Slaughter showed everyone that while he wasn't on rival giant, Petron Blaze's, Junemar Fajardo's level yet, he was going to be a force in the paint for a long time. Throw in veterans L.A. Tenorio who was coming off a banner year and former PBA Most Valuable Player Mark Caguioa and yeah, Ginebra fought for every win and deserved to be the number one seed.

Ginebra: flawed, but good

Iba na ang matangkad. At MAGALING.
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel has taken the Philippine Basketball Association by storm, now up the Philippine Cup standings with an impressive 9-1 slate.

At the forefront of the attack is floor general L.A. Tenorio whose veteran smarts and point guard savvy remains unmatched. His teammates trust him, rumored, former headcases and divas follow his every marching order without question and there is arguably no other Filipino basketball player today that is universally loved and respected regardless of affiliation.

While the Ginebra faithful continue to wait for their former PBA MVPs Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand to play their way back to form, another player has emerged to make a case for the league's ultimate individual accolade.

Meralco's power surge zaps Ginebra

It was bound to happen sooner or later.

That the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel camp, now powered by a towering frontline to backstop last season's PBA MVP runner-up L.A. Tenorio and former PBA MVP Mark Caguioa, will be demystified right before our very eyes. That the 7"0 Greg Slaughter and vastly improved (nay, more comfortable) 6"9 Japeth Aguilar would be cut down to size and made to look like a collegiate freshmen by a guy dismissed as too unfocused/ temperamental for the pro ranks (Meralco Bolts' 6"7 off season recruit Rabeh Al Hussaini).

For all things said against Bolts' head coach Ryan Gregorio, he and lead assistant Jong Uichico came up with arguably the most brilliant strategy against the previously unbeaten Ginebra team.

The "Other" Ginebra Big Man

Ginebra has another big man in tow
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

The first time I saw JayR Reyes, now of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, was at the 3rd year high school prom of one of my exes. The first thing everyone noticed was how insanely tall the guy was as compared to the rest of the evening’s escorts/ dates (myself included and back then I stood a lanky 5”10). From then on I decided to keep an eye out for the guy in case he makes it big in the sport that I love (because, in a world of sports blogger hopefuls, who doesn't).

Because, really now, how many 6”5 and up high school kids living in Manila back in the day were not part of some basketball program?

The next time I heard about Reyes, or got to see him play was when he suited up for the U.P. Fighting Maroons. He was raw as hell, but was in pretty good, athletic shape for a guy his size. He could run with the forwards so that’s a plus moving forward to a possible career in the professional ranks.

The Blueprint

A man with a plan
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

When Barangay Ginebra San Miguel team manager Alfrancis Chua threw a fit last season just weeks after steering the club to a surprise run at a PBA Commissioner’s Cup 1st runner up finish, it was met with a lot of surprise and apprehension from various camps.

Some circles reported that Chua’s then departure was brought about by the sudden, mid-season changes in his staff, others say it was the nagging player trade scenarios. Others say that Chua simply had enough of the top brass and how things were being run by some choice personnel.

Whatever it may be, there were a lot of compromises and concessions made which ultimately led to Chua’s return (and promotion) while also appearing to have “free hand” over team decisions (which is the role of a manager anyway) and how Ginebra would move forward as they slowly transition away from the storied “Mark Caguioa Era.”

PBA Trade Rumor: The Ninja to Air21

Ritualo. Atkins. Sharma. Yeo. #ibalikangbigote
(Photo courtesy of PBA InterAKTV)

If reports are correct, then arguably one of the most prolific collegiate scorers in history is going to get a chance to resuscitate his PBA career in the next few days. Joseph Yeo, the now de facto 11th to 12th man of the Petron Blaze Boosters, is part of a looming semi-blockbuster trade that also indirectly involves long time PBA All Star and national team player Kerby Raymundo of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

Next is our attempt at breaking down this possible trade, naming winners and losers, and even looking at what's in store in the near future.

Drama hits Ginebra

Photo courtesy of Yahoo.Ph

What a strange way for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel to start their PBA Governor's Cup campaign.

First was the unseen retirement of one of our all-time favorites, Rudy Hatfield. Not only did the team lose one of its veteran anchors, it lost one of its better low post defenders with Hatfield choosing to close one of the more impressive 14-year careers this side of Philippine basketball.

And because we're talking about the league's most popular ball club here, the drama didn't end there. After coming off a surprise Commissioner's Cup Finals runner-up finish, head coach Alfrancis Chua opted to resign for "personal reasons" which many insiders believe was caused by all the coaching rigodon Ginebra and its owning San Miguel Corporation family did the last few weeks.

Hustle like Hatfield

Photo courtesy of interaksyon.com

After 14 years (on and off) with the Philippine Basketball Association-- from Tanduay Rhum to Coca Cola and finally to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Rudy "The H-Bomb" Hatfield is finally calling it a career. This, after a so-so campaign in recent conferences following his nth comeback in the professional ranks.

We were not mistaken when we Tweeted the other day that Hatfield "reinvented" the way Filipino small forwards played the game. Back in the old days, small forwards were cast as one of the following: spread the floor wing shooter, defensive stopper or Mr. Intangibles. The guy who does the little things that almost go unseen by the not so educated basketball mind. It was almost, always one of the three. Can't be all (even the great NBA legend Magic Johnson had to concede on playing great lockdown defense, while Larry Bird lacked athleticism so there's always something holding small forwards back).

Barangay Overkill. Much.

Dugong Pinoy...
...Lahing Ginebra?

What happens if Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, now blessed with 6"9 athlete Japeth Aguilar, is able to somehow pry veteran 6"9 Fil-Tonggan Asi Taulava from the hands of Team MVP?

Then it only solidifies our claim that this team has nowhere been near it's given "underdog" moniker not since reigning PBA Most Valuable Player Mark Caguioa's blonde-bombing rookie year (when they actually played guys named Ronald Magtulis and Banjo Calpito heavy minutes). Never say die? How can a team that is supposed to win big be "never say die?" The new battle cry should be "play to your standards" if anything.

Seriously, why Ginebra is still in hot pursuit of an aging role player is beyond us. Aside from Aguilar, they already have little (if not mis-)used players such as Rico Maierhofer, Billy Mamaril, Willy Wilson, Rudy Hatfield and not to mention the resurgent Kerby Raymundo.

Barangay Phi Slama Jama

Japeth like it's hot!

After weeks of speculation, 6"9 wunderkind Japeth Aguilar finds himself with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel-- his 4th team in a very young, up-and-down PBA career. Will he finally find a niche in Philippine hoops and breakthrough as every one hopes him to, or will he plateau as a slam dunking, sweet shooting athlete who bites at every pump fake thrown his way by guys shorter than him?

If you thought that Aguilar had everyone watching him succeed/ fail his first few years, then things are about to get even crazier from here on out.  

PBA Commish Cup Finals: Wala pa ring tatalo sa Alaska

Young Blood Reachin'

It was time.

The Alaska Aces are the 2013 PBA Commissioner's Cup champions thanks to a dominant 3-0 sweep of the injury-riddled Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. They did it through team work. They did it through hard work and perseverance. They did it together.

Credit goes to Ginebra and head coach Alfrancis Chua for their magical run to the Commish Cup Finals after a woeful 7th seed finish at the end of the eliminations. They lost reigning PBA Most Valuable Player Mark Caguioa to a knee injury, had to change import early and fought through all the chemistry woes that have hounded them early this season.

Newly-minted Best Player of the Conference L.A. Tenorio spearheaded Ginebra's attack the whole way. Ginebra responded to their "substitute" leader and gamely fought toe-to-toe with the Aces' youth and vigour. Ginebra was determined to not go out without a fight. They were putting it all out there, they were the more physical team. They were loose and carefree on the court. For the first three quarters, Ginebra played like Ginebra.

PBA Commish Cup Semis: Never Say Die

The 6th Man cometh

Barangay Gineba San Miguel, after a slow start and 7th seed finish at the end of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Eliminations, are back in the PBA Finals after dismantling the mighty Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters.

Say what you will about Ginebra, but they won the series and bonded together over the course of the conference. From a team that appeared to have absolutely no identity and chemistry, they've once again become a league powerhouse thanks to the great efforts of head coach Alfrancis Chua.

Before we proceed, our hats off to the Texters for putting up a heroic effort and going toe-to-toe with Ginebra until tonight's epic Game 5. Just imagine that the guys who are leading this team have been pulling "double duties"for so long, burning themselves out with their mother team and then also suiting up for Gilas Pilipinas. Fatigue and injuries spelled the Texters doom yet again-- Kelly Williams, Jared Dillinger, Jimmy Alapag (who suited up and played because that's just how the Mighty Mouse rolls) and then tonight, Ranidel de Ocampo.

PBA Commish Cup semis: Proud Texters fight back

Before RDO's clutch 4th quarter and Castro's blurry ways,
Alapag was there to save the day for TNT

For the first three quarters, it appeared as though the resurgent Barangay Ginebra San Miguel were well on their way to having one foot placed at the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals' doorstep. They were cohesive on the floor, scoring from all angles and getting major contribution from just about anyone and everyone that Ginebra head coach Alfrancis Chua brought in.

Then came the 4th quarter.

That's when the battle-tested (or should we say "weary") Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters, down 0-1 in the Best-of-Five and already at the brink of suffering yet another defeat, took a gallant stand. At the forefront was future PBA Hall-of-Famer Jimmy Alapag, our bet to make the save, finishing with 17 points and 8 assists while playing a team second-best 35 minutes. Jayson Castro also showed up, appearing to have realized that while LA Tenorio is a passable defender, Castro has a few inches and pounds over his Ginebra counterpart. That, plus noone would ever confuse Tenorio's backup, Josh Urbiztondo, with a young Wyne Arboleda.

Revival

Remember when RDO, today's best Pinoy big man,
was left off the national team years back?
It's because of Kerby. And Kerby's reminding us why.

There's something in the air...

... it stands tall amidst the deafening chants of over 14,000 strong, most of which wear red, black and white proudly as colors. It is enough to rejuvenate tired old bones, wounded and almost forgotten army generals who once stood proud at the forefront of several conquests.

Out of the ashes the forgotten arose, defying the hands of time, ignorant of the way of the basketball. This is a new era, where athletes come in droves taller, bigger, faster and highly trained with new knowledge shared faster and more simpler. The old guards are supposed to stand aside, they're supposed to know their place as they have already paid their dues and paved the way for the next generation as those before them.

But not these soldiers, or at the very least, not yet.

PBA Commish Cup semis: Ginebra makes a statement

"WTF Jerome? I had centers
in college that play D better than you."

What in the blue mfkng hell was that?

The favored Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters suffered a humiliating and near-devastating 81-104 blowout at the hands of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel to kickstart their PBA Commisioner's Cup semifinals showdown. This, after appearing to have recovered mid-conference and looking as poised as ever to march on to their nth PBA Finals

Well, don't tell Ginebra that.

PBA Commish Cup semis: Talk 'n' Text vs Ginebra

Best PG in the PBA
might be decided in this series

What a funny coincidence, having two low-seeded teams going at it for the right to advance to the 2013 PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals. On one side you have the 6th seeded Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters which thoroughly man-handled the (reeling) 3rd seeded Petron Blaze Boosters. On the other, you have the 7th seeded Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, arguably playing their best basketball under Coach Alfrancis Chua, overcoming the odds and winning over 2nd seeded Rain or Shine Elastopainters.

And though we love and appreciate Ginebra's mighty run, there's no denying that from the looks of things, they are about to hit a brick wall which will effectively end their heroic and magical run.

See, the Elastopainters were supposed to win. They were complete, they were healthy and they have bigs in just about every position. Unfortunately, they took Ginebra lightly and didn't seem to have the right mentality going into the Playoffs and that's what cost them the series (with the defiant Ginebra veterans taking full advantage).