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.

PBA GovCup SF: Meralco vs TNT

McDaniels vs Durham
(Photo credit: Hoops PH)

Get ready for a slobberknocker of a Best-of-Five series between sister teams Meralco Bolts and the TNT Katropa.

Vastly improved, the Bolts finished the conference as the 2nd seed and easily disposed of the resurgent Alaska Aces behind the prowess of super-import Allen Durham and new recruits Allein Maliksi and Raymond Almazan. From where we are watching the games, it feels as though head coach Norman Black was able to address his team's weaknesses from previous conferences-- a need for a low post presence (this has been Durham's role from day one), a trusted scorer/ shot creator (Maliksi, who is absolutely the farthest thing from being gun-shy) and a rim protector (Almazan).

Sure, old hands Baser Amer and Chris Newsome are still delivering every now and then, but the addition of the above players makes the Bolts even more dangerous and well-rounded, similar to Black's previous champion teams. They're not really that exciting to watch, but they just keep wearing teams down be it a high-scoring affair or a grit-and-grind match.

It's going to be exciting when they finally lock horns with TNT, which beat them earlier this conference in a high-scoring affair (Durham finished with 43 while KJ McDaniels had 51).

For one, while the Bolts are the higher seed, the smart bet would be on TNT and their deep, superstar line-up. First, there's the returning Jayson Castro who has been playing like the FIBA Castro of old before suffering an injury mid-conference. In the Magnolia match-up, Castro outplayed a gauntlet of Grade A guards: Paul Lee, Mark Barroca and Jio Jalalon to steer TNT to a hard-fought victory.

Then you have McDaniels, who can do just about everything you'd want from an import who's asked to make plays and knock down shots. He also averages about 3 to 4 blocks per game so to say that he's more offensive than defensive minded would be a mistake. These two are followed by national players RR Pogoy (who is unfortunately hurt), Troy Rosario, Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes.

Then there's the new addition: Ray Ray Parks.

In the off-season, rumors had it that Parks was supposedly on his way to the Bolts to join his godfather Black. Unfortunately, that didn't pan out and he went to TNT (a move that was probably hastened by the mid-conference injury to Castro).

With TNT, we've seen glimpses, and it's quite obvious that Parks will be playing a major role in this series as a definite x-factor.

So, match-up wise, we're looking at both team's best 5 guys and how we expect it to go:

Castro VS Amer
For some reason, Amer almost, always plays well vs TNT. Perhaps it's by design, with Black wanting his trusted PG to attack Castro more in hopes of forcing him to play defense. But honestly, the way Castro has been playing this conference, we don't see Amer stopping Castro any time soon. Maybe get the pesky Caram in just to give Castro different looks. Or even Nard Pinto to rough the FIBA star up.

DiGregorio VS Newsome
Newsome has been steady for the Bolts as a role playing scorer. He's shown flashes of being "the Man," but from what we've gathered he's better off as someone who puts up points and does a little bit of everything through the whole game. More Pippen than Jordan. TNT will need MDG to wax hot from the outside to help space the floor a bit for Castro to operate. The real fun begins when old TNT hand Ryan Reyes gets his turn in, locks up Newsome, and knocks down corner threes. Then, the Bolts will have a big problem.

Parks VS Maliksi
Maliksi is not going to back down from Parks, that's obvious enough. He'll go at him for sure. And it does look like he's already gotten the green light from Black as well. Bong Quinto is another option here, but the onus will be on Maliksi to knock down shots from deep to open things up for Durham inside the paint and maybe mix it up from the outside. The problem here of course, is should (or when) Maliksi get the green light, he tends to lose control and jack up shots like there's no tomorrow. For Parks, with Castro and McDaniels taking care of the scoring, he'll be asked to contribute the way Pogoy does (knock down open shots, take over the offense when Castro isn't clicking, and play defense).

McDaniels VS Almazan
Almazan has been Alma-zing for the Bolts as their rim protector and weak side big man. This is going to be a rough and tough affair where we expect everyone from Almazan to Faundo to Hodge to take a crack at TNT's high-scoring import who plays the 4 position on paper, but is really a 3 by game.

Rosario VS Durham
Who is going to stop Durham? Will TNT let Durham get his, like they did in their October 12 match-up, or will they double him and force the Bolts' other guys to salvage the win? For TNT, we're not sure Taha can handle Durham in the paint one-on-one. So the best plan is to really pull the Bolts' big man outside with stretch 4s and 5s.

The Bolts' team will need to overcome TNT's starpower from the onset. Honestly, we feel that they need to force the issue a bit more and be the aggressor, they have the 'rough' players for it, nothing dirty like NLEX, just a bit more physical. If this turns into a high-scoring affair, TNT will win 9 times out of 10. But should the Bolts be able to secure the boards and max out each possession, they'll be able to steal a few games.

Still, TNT to advance.

Your thoughts?

@kilikilishot on Twitter

Playing catch-up

Author's note: It's been months since I posted on KKS2, I actually have a bunch of rough drafts in the oven but due to lack of time/ interest/ research, opted not to have you guys read it (and lose whatever modicum of admiration you have for this mediocre writer).

Who runs the GovCup?
(Photo credit: ABS CBN Sports)

KKS is a blog that I kept primarily to keep myself sane while overseas. While I was with my family, I needed something from home to keep my mind sharp and more importantly, my wits about. When we came back home after three years in the Middle East, the new job has kind of kept me away from the keyboard and television. I still tweet about the games, but as I've always said, writing is an art form that needs to be respected and honored with enough research. I don't just write random hot takes here, like I do when I tweet, I actually take time and watch film, break down plays, check out stats and so on. So we have something nice to talk about (hit me up on Twitter @kilikilishot). I'd like to think that as a writer, I've matured a bit, as with in real life. But basketball will always be a love of mine, it is a great source of entertainment/ joy/ pain/ anger. And I hope that you guys are able to drop by this blog every now and then to check on my latest works, short or long format, good or bad.

Many thanks for the continued trust and support!




So where were we?

Ginebra is in the semifinals after knocking out the grandslam-seeking San Miguel Beermen (who, from the outside looking in, looks like they need to consider a few player changes following that ugly fight during one of their practices). Justin Brownlee continues to stand tall as the barometer for imports, and it seems that he's a lock for yet another Best Import award should Ginebra continue to go deeper into the Governor's Cup.

TNT also managed to escape and unseat the defending Governor's Cup champions, Magnolia, with clutch free throws by new recruit Ray Ray Parks. It was a great match to say the least, and the game could've gone either way. It's just unfortunate that Magnolia appeared to have run out of gas in the end.

Just like the last two (or is it three) seasons, Meralco's doing quite well whenever Allen Durham is around. It's almost like the Ginebra puzzle, except that Durham plays in the paint while Brownlee plays outside. Basically, both teams seem to look average without those two super imports. The Bolts looked very impressive in dismantling the gritty Alaska Aces, and newcomers Raymond Almazan (rim protector) and Allein Maliksi (token scorer) brought the goods.

The TNT-Meralco sister team affair should be fun going into the next round.

Which leaves us with NLEX and Northport. Elbows, flops, ninja hood punches galore. I have no idea what happened or why NLEX approached the game with the intent to play physical to try and rattle Christian Standhardinger and co. Well, it didn't work. CSH flopped his way around the physicality, got the calls, and, well, NLEX' import failed to show up, which basically sealed their fate.

Who do you think will advance to the next round to face Ginebra? Will it be NLEX, the 1st seed, or Northport, which got a new lease on life despite the exit of super rookie Robert Bolick?

PBA Ph C SF: 3 Star V 7 Ginebra

Galit galit muna, parekoy
(Photo credit: philstar.com)

Finally, the marketing genius that is "Manila Classico" can finally be able to live up to its own hype.

When the term was brilliantly coined, it was driven more because of the growing popularity of the Star Hotshots (re: Purefoods) which was slowly challenging that of Barangay Ginebra's. Sure, Star always had fans, but it was more because they always had TV matinee idol-looking players who could play very well and resonated more with a specific audience. Ginebra? They're the people's team. They're the team that went from chanting "Diego" towards a heated opponent before showering him with "Pogi" when he joined them later in his career.

But they were never really rivals. Far from it. Star was winning titles left and right and was a perennial contender. Ginebra, was, well, Ginebra.

The script was flipped when Ginebra landed Star's grand slam coach Tim Cone and started putting the pieces together. They won a title in Cone's first year, they're now being taken seriously as a defensive unit. Star suffered a brief setback last season (re: the Jason Webb experiment) but appear to be back on track under new head coach Chito Victolero. So now, we can talk rivalry. Because Ginebra appears to be building towards a new dynasty to challenge San Miguel, while Star still has the grand slam core (a very young one at that) while adding famed Ginebra-killer Paul Lee.

Oh you think we're going over board with the "Ginebra Killer" tag? YouTube: Paul Lee + Ginebra.

You're welcome.

PBA PhC QF: 3 Star v 6 Phoenix

Hotshot.
(Photo credit: purefoodsbasketball.com)

Which team will shine brighter: the Star Hotshots or the Phoenix Fuel Masters?

If take a quick look at the elimination round of the PBA Philippine Cup, it doesn't look too good for Phoenix Coach Ariel Vanguardia and his wards. The Hotshots beat the Fuel Masters 123-79, early in the conference, when Coach Chito Victolero was still tinkering with his line-up and they were trying to establish a new culture.

Today we are looking at a rather dominant Hotshots team that not only scores the basketball, but also plays sound, aggressive defense.

Uh-oh.

Trade reaction: Swapping Lions

Alaska's new muscle
(photo credit: Inquirer.net)

With PBA action in full swing, the Star Hotshots have opted to send 6"4 power forward Jake Pascual to the Alaska Aces for 6'3 wingman Rome dela Rosa.

The former San Beda Red Lions players will each address glaring needs for both teams, which is why the trade makes a lot of sense on the surface. It is no secret that the Aces could use all the height and heft that they can get with all the injuries and team-administered suspensions while the Hotshots are still looking to plug a few holes in its rotation.

We also commend both teams, specifically coach Chito Victolero, for coming up with a "clean and fair" trade. As per reports, Coach Chito called his once-upon-a-time MBA point guard rival Coach Alex Compton to discuss the deal which was obviously well-received.
 

Shooting Stars

Puta, kalma.
(Photo credit: inquirer.net)

Contrary to popular belief, the Star Hotshots are not in trouble; transition yes, trouble no.

Despite the 0-2 record under new coach Chito Victolero, this isn't the same as least season's debacle under Jason Webb. This isn't an ominous sign of things to come, at least that's what we would like to believe anyway. No, this team, save for a few Grand Slam leftovers, is a team that is trying to build on and off court chemistry as well as an overall identity.

So who are the Hotshots, exactly?

Well, they were the PBA's token glamour boys. Pretty boys who could back it up on the court. They weren't known for their offense or defense, they were simply known as a solid bunch and a classy organization over all. Like San Miguel's own yellow (then blue) version of Alaska.

When Tim Cone took over, he built a new culture. When he left, everything fell apart. Some guys wanted to change the blueprint, others were not sold on the idea. In comes Victolero, who is no Webb but is definitely no Cone either, plus a new star in Paul Lee. Of course there is going to be a rough period.

PBA CC Playoffs: 1 San Miguel vs 8 Star

Ngiting Gary D.
(Photo by: PBA Inquirer)

It is funny how life, truly is, shaped like a wheel-- or a basketball even.

One day you find yourself atop, enjoying the warm sunshine and the loving caress of a well-trained and highly-skilled athlete, the next you are making ugly, brutal, anal sex with a sweaty, smelly, slimy, hard court with spit, shit and dirt on it.

That is how we can best describe the lives of both the conference-leading, Grand Slam-seeking San Miguel Beermen and the "happy to just win games and save face" Star Hotshots. Just a few years ago, Star was atop the mountain while the Beermen were caught in an ugly basketball-novela.

Now?

A ringing endorsement

The struggle is real for Star
(Photo credit: PBA.Inquirer.net)

When Jason Webb took over the Star Hotshots’ bench in the preseason, we had a feeling that things might get rough at first. Still, we believed that everything will be just fine since he is taking over an already-made group of champions (grand slam ones, at that) and did not really need to make a world of adjustments.

A conference and two games into the second of the PBA season we are just as worried as the next Star fan.

#PlayMeOrTradeMe

Nice shirt.
(Photo credit to the owner)

Indefinite suspension.

That is the punishment handed down by STAR Hotshots' management on their young small forward Allein Maliksi, after the former UST Tiger posted (now deleted) one of Nike's statement shirts on his personal Instagram account.

Let this be a lesson to all millenials: social media is not a platform for you to be ranting about the work place. Specially if your account is public AND more so if you are a celebrity of sorts like Maliksi.

Don't call it a comeback

Kala niyo sawa na kami mag-champion?
(Photo credits to the owner)

Coach Cone was not brought into the Purefoods' fold to win a championship. He wasn't brought in to simply win a PBA Grand Slam (though that could have easily been one of the targets/ objectives).

He was brought in to (re)establish a (new) dynasty in Philippine basketball.

Name any past or present San Miguel Corporation-employed head coach in the last ten to fifteen years that was given as much leeway and power as Cone. You'll have to go back two more decades or so, to the days of the iconic Robert Jaworski, Sr. and Ron Jacobs, to truly understand how much creative control and power Cone was given when it comes to the direction of the team, player trades and acquisition and basically what sort of product to put on the basketball court.

Ang Binangga, Nagiba

Parang kelan lang nung unang sumabak ang Barako Bull (Red Bull noon) sa PBA dala ang kakaibang kalibre ng basketball sa pangunguna ni ngayong Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao. Matatapang, pisikal, agresibo at walang takot. Karamihan ng mga player nila hindi kilala at galing kung saan pero walang takot kung makipagsabayan sa mga superstar ng liga. Nauna sila Jimwell Torion, Junthy Valenzuela at Davonn Harp, sumunod ung era ni Enrico Villanueva.

Yun ung Barako Bull na gusto naming balik-balikan sa ilang taong pamamayagpag ng PBA. Hindi yung Barako Bull ngayon na walang bayag. Barako Bull na walang magawa tuwing magkakaroon ng magagaling na manlalaro kapag naglalambing na ang mga "Kuya."

Hindi naman kami tanga, alam naman namin ang kalakaran at naiintindihan ito.

Pero huwag naman sana bastusan.

Ang batang Maliksi

Ang batang Maliksi
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

When the San Mig Coffee Mixers’ Allein Maliksi first came into the league by way of the Barako Bull Energy, he quickly started to make a name for himself as a wiry and creative scorer reminiscent of 90s Pinoy superstars Kenneth Duremdes, Vergel Meneses and Bong Alvarez.

You know what we’re talking about. Guys who just make the game look easy, shooting jumpshots, driving to the hoop and throwing in a dunk or two from time to time.

So it really shouldn’t be much of a surprise to see Maliksi finding a niche with the Mixers this PBA Governor’s Cup (or even when he was briefly sent to Barangay Ginebra then back to Barako Bull). The 2011 PBA D-League Best Player of the Conference is blessed with a PBA stardom-ready body frame standing 6”3 and weighing a fit 180 lbs. (again, Duremdes II). Despite playing only 24 minutes a game, Maliksi is averaging a respectable 12 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists in Mixers’ head coach Tim Cone’s “new” spread-out offense wherein everyone gets a chance to score.

Waiting for Big Game James

James Yap, off-target
(Photo courtesy of PBA InterAKTV)

Five points and (almost) four rebounds in 36.5 minutes of action in two games for the San Mig Coffee Mixers this PBA's season-ending Governor's Cup.

No, those aren't Yancy de Ocampo or Rafi Reavis' averages. Those are resident superstar and 2x PBA Most Valuable Player James Yap's output in their first two games. A woeful five points on a dreadful 0/7 clip from the arc and 2/24 from inside with Yap's only saving grace coming from the free throw line where he has managed to go 6/6.

#NoBenta

Off night or on purpose?

Last night’s 93-72 drubbing of the Barako Bull Energy squad by then winless Barangay Ginebra San Miguel left a sour taste in the mouths of most non-Ginebra fans.

If you’ve been paying close attention to how the Energy has been playing this conference, there are only two explanations for yesterday’s semi-alarming debacle. The team looked listless and lethargic, the defense was mostly man-to-man with little to no resistance to drives into the lane and the offense couldn’t have been anywhere near a Rajko Toroman-coached, urm, consulted squad.

Barako Bull on the rise

Allein Maliksi gets another shot
at superstardom

The team that gets the most number of players is usually the winner of any or all professional transactions no matter the starpower involved. You could always argue in favor of whichever team gets to bring home the former league MVP or All Star, but at day's end, four solid rotation players is still better than a star who has hit the proverbial "glass ceiling" and an under-rated, under-sized four man.

Gone are Ronald Tubid, Leo Najorda and Lester Alvarez from the Barako Bull Energy's roster and in their place are former PBA Finals MVP Jonas Villanueva, UAAP Finals MVP Jojo Duncil, college star JC Intal and PBA D-League MVP Allein Maliksi. As you can see, the letters "MVP" are spread evenly among those young thoroughbreds and that they are all young, athletic, have legit basketball skills (except maybe for Intal who has yet to find a niche in the league thus the inconsistency). Villanueva can orchestrate and, given the minutes, belongs atop the PBA's best floor generals. Duncil is a clutch jumpshooter who has the size and speed to play the two spot. Intal is crazy athletic and can get streaky from time to time. Then there's the other guy, Maliksi-- who is making a "homecoming" of sorts to the team that drafted him last season, who can pretty much hold his own against the league's premier scorers from Gary David to Mark Caguioa.

No need to panic

Props to Romeo Catap for the artwork

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, it's legion of fans at that, need to chill with all the panicking, heckling, critiquing and whatever drama rises out of the woodwork. The team is just fine folks, nothing to see here. Nothing worth blowing Twitter up about or calling for head coach Siot Tangquincen's head to be served on a silver platter... at least not yet.

With the acquisition of elite point guard L.A. Tenorio and high-flying rookies Chris Ellis and Keith Jensen (who's proving to be more of a knockdown shooter than dunker), expectations were insanely high. After all, there's reigning PBA MVP Mark Caguioa looking healthier by the day, old reliables like Jayjay Helterbrand, Billy Mamaril, Willy Wilson, Kerby Raymundo, Rico Maierhofer and Rudy Hatfield. Plus the rising Espana Express duo of Allein Maliksi and Dylan Ababou among other names (teka, si Elmer Espiritu na lang ata di ko nabanggit) to fill up the roster.

Ginebra picks Chris... Ellis (over Tiu)

Solid pick-up... for the future

Potential versus prime, promise versus reality, necessity versus want.

When Barangay Ginebra San Miguel head coach Siot Tangquincen was asked weeks back who he'd like to pick 6th in the PBA Draft 2012, the fiery Thomasian uttered the name "Chris Tiu" all without batting an eyelash. There was no hesitation in his answer, and it pretty much played into the Ginebra faithful's liking.

Here was a guy who spent the last couple of years wearing PILIPINAS on his chest as a starter, knocking down shots and holding the fort as a back-up point guard. THAT, plus his other praise-worthy endeavors such as TV host, model, brand(SSssss) ambassador and being an all-around good guy.

Return of the King

After Jawo, there's Caguioa for Ginebra

While this entry may indeed be about seven or eight games late, it's high time we recognized the revived efforts of one Mark Caguioa. The Barangay Ginebra Gin King is back at doing what he does best, weeks removed from a facial injury that many believe cost the Gin Kings the semis match-up versus sister team B-Meg Llamados and ultimately, the Commissioner's Cup title.

Though he failed to lift the Gin Kings in tonight's match-up versus the rising Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters, Caguioa came through yet again with a season high 32-point explosion. Though fans have slowly ceded the "Best Scoring Guard in the League" title to Powerade's Gary David, Caguioa remains at the upper echelon of gunslingers-- of all time.

The Future is Here for Ginebra

The future looks bright
for Barangay Ginebra

The story of last Sunday's game was Mark Caguioa, his goggles, and the way the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings easily and handily whooped the upstart Air21 Express-- who were coming off a respectable Commissioner's Cup performance.

Caguioa was joined by tried and tested veterans Rudy Hatfield, Mike Cortez and Kerby Raymundo in dismantling the hapless Express, 103-85 with the help of the solid debut of import Cedric Bozeman.

This tells us that the Kings are primed to make another deep Playoff push this Governor's Cup behind their All Star core for as long as Caguioa is able to make shots and no longer complains of headaches and what not.