An MVP without a ring

What a year for Gary David

It's still too early, and Barangay Ginebra's Mark Cagouia could suddenly lead his team all the way to the finals and at the very least salvage 1st runner-up (tying Powerade's Gary David's feat this season) but based on all the statistics, David is in line to win the PBA's coveted Most Valuable Player award at season's end.

Granted, the one factor that trumps even the greatest of points-rebounds-assists/ efficiency averages: the media and players' votes, could overturn such ruling but you cannot make an argument against David. There's just no point in making one. The man averaged 25 to 30 plus points at different times in all three conferences, the Tigers' offense ran through him and he's the only player in recent memory since San Miguel's Nelson Asaytono that has the green light from the coaching staff to keep shooting 'til his arms fall off.

MV-Ring

Can you hear it Gary?
We can. They're saying M-V-P.

In the NBA, the Most Valuable Player award is given after the regular season regardless if the leading candidate makes it all the way to the Finals or not. That is why we've all had the privilege of recognizing some of the world's greatest basketball players who may or may not rule your television sets or play on the biggest stage of them all.

The same cannot be said however, for the PBA. Since our favorite basketball association plays three conferences in a season, the MVP trophy is given only after 2 3/4 of the season has been played. The last couple of MVP awardees have all enjoyed championship runs, the most recent being Jimmy Alapag of the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters.

But this year, it looks like we're in for one of those "history in the making," "feel good" stories.

Lassiter, David ambush Petron in Legazpi

Pinoy Jordan, Pippen and a pocket-sized Toni Kukoc

The way things are going, the Chicago Bu, erm, Powerade Tigers are on their way to another impressive run this Commissioner's Cup behind the torrid shooting of KKS Bataan Bomber and super rookie Marcio Lassiter. In last night's game, the Tigers pretty much caught the Petron Boosters with their pants down and just slaughtered them from one end of the Legazpi City basketball court to the other.

With Tigers' import Dwayne Jones proving to be too much for counterpart finesse big man Nick Fazekas, David and Lassiter pretty much cherry-picked their way to open and uncontested jumpers finishing with 25 and 23, with Lassiter adding 11 boards on plenty of weak-side rebounding.

Outgunned and outnumbered

Who're you calling old? Alapag 34, David 3

The Powerade Tigers entered the PBA Philippine Cup Best-of-Seven Finals behind a never-say-die, run and gun philosophy that quickly captured the hearts of many. Slaying one dragon after another, it seemed as though the Cinderella-story would end with nothing less than a “happily ever after” for the Tigers, which in this case is a championship.

Two games in and their “kontrabidas” or the mighty “evil witch” (in the Tigers’ point of view of course), known in these circles as the Talk ‘n’ Text Tropang Texters, have brought the Tigers right back down to earth—and how.

In the first game, the Tigers lost but had the luxury of using star rookie guard JVee Casio’s absence as an excuse. In the second, they were simply outplayed in several instances and out-hustled in key stretches that could’ve tilted the game in their favor (and quite possibly, tied the series).

Let’s get one thing straight, we are going to be treated to a shootout. Not a grind-it-out chess match akin’ to the 90s PBA. The scores will be high and close—but only because this style of play concentrates more on the offensive rather than the defensive end.

Quickening the pace means surrendering more shot attempts for both parties, a big reason why this series looks much closer at first glance than how it really is when you break everything down.

That, plus as long as the Tigers’ have the Bataan Bomber, JVee Casio and Marcio Lassiter free to put up 10 three point attempts EACH per game, KKS says they have as good a puncher’s chance as any to steal a game or two.

Still, yesterday’s game was another display of supremacy by the Tropang Texters—effortlessly grabbing a double digit lead in the first quarter with arguably their two best players, Jayson Castro and Ranidel de Ocampo, watching from the sidelines.

Jimmy Alapag wanted to showcase how he invented the “three point shooting point guard with no conscience prototype” over the returning Casio early. Japeth Aguilar was jumping around the place with his hands up and perhaps the biggest key to the series to date, Jarred Dillinger was being a problem for Marcio Lassiter.

Dillinger, at 6”4 and 225 lbs, was creating so many match-up problems for the 6”2, 187 lbs. Lassiter that the much-heralded rookie (currently leading the ROY stats race) wasn’t his usual aggressive self on the offensive end. Defensively, Lassiter tried to stay with Castro in a cross-match, but it was obvious by the 4th quarter that he was winded from having to stay in front of the Blur and having to deal with the Daredevil.

Back to Dillinger, who was mixing it up with jumpers and slashes that the Tigers’ just didn’t have anyone to check him with. Lassiter’s to small, Sean Anthony would be too slow. The only guy who could really challenge Dillinger and cancel him out, would be Will Antonio. In 2003. When he was lighter and quicker on his feet. Not 2011.

Then came Castro, followed by Ranidel de Ocampo.

THE DOCTOR IS IN.

Dr. de Ocampo methodically dissected whatever defense the Tigers put up, and had an easy time grabbing rebounds over his opponent’s hapless frontline who didn’t put up much of an effort on that end of the floor. There’s just no one on the Tigers’ roster who can match-up with RDO. Hell, there’s no one in the league today that can match-up with RDO when he’s on his A game (closest would be Kelly Williams, who has the height, muscle and athleticism, but they’re teammates so…).

The commentators, namely Jason Webb, nailed it when he said that both teams like to “run and gun”—it’s just that, the other squad has the better tools for the job and does it behind a solid 8 to 9 man rotation. The other? Just 3 guys and a couple of solid role players.

Quinito Henson, being the detached commentator that he usually is, was suggesting, nay, practically begging the Tigers’ coaching staff to play at a slower pace (as though they could hear him). Uhm, with all due respect sir, if you ask the Tigers to slow down, you’ll pretty much force Gary David to play in tighter floorspace (which he doesn’t excel in). The Tigers would also need to have a reliable post player to make that work—and despite all his improvements, Doug Kramer isn’t exactly Rabeh Al Husaini on the block.

Oh, and that gameplay would completely undress JVee Casio as a point guard who can’t create shots (yes, KKS is debunking Ryan Gregorio’s statements that Casio is a shot creator for his teammates—he’s a solid point guard who can handle the ball and makes correct passes to teammates ala NBAers Jarret Jack, Derek Fisher, Earl Watson, Jose Calderon. He’s not a shot creator like Ricky Rubio, Steve Nash, Chris Paul, Luke Ridnour. Get it now?)

Slow or fast, the Texters are proving to be too much for the Tigers. Run and they’ll unleash Castro. Slow down and they’ll set up shop with Dr. de Ocampo and Mountain Peek. It’s not a case of “picking your poison” anymore, it’s simply, “here’s your poison, now go die.”

This is still a winnable series for the Tigers, if they can just play a little bit of defense and control the boards so they can break-out and do what they do best- run.

On a side note, that shouldn't have been a Flagrant One on de Ocampo versus Anthony. He was collaring the rebound and swinging like all grown men are supposed to do (something Chris Bosh should've done when Kevin Garnett was all over his grill in that one Toronto-Boston game years back). Anthony just got what was coming to him. No harm meant, no ill will or drama. Just the natural, brutality of the game.

The PBA Pinoy Cup Finals: Talk N Text vs Powerade

After an exciting semifinals series that could've gone either way if a basket or two were only made, we're now being treated to a rather unexpected yet enthralling Finals match-up with league powerhouse and defending champions Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters and the "Cinderella" team, the 8th seeded Powerade Tigers.

To win, Tigers' need Lassiter to stay on the floor

Keys for the Tigers

1. Run and gun
- It's pretty obvious that the Tigers lack the legit point guard who makes scoring opportunities for his teammates. They have PGs who can handle the rock and rotate the basketball, but mostly, these guys are natural born shooters (Rudy Lingganay being the odd man out). JVee Casio and Celino Cruz need to run and keep pushing the pace to spread the floor and not let the Texters vaunted defense (which was modified halfway in the Petron series but wasn't recognized outright by most) set-up shop.

Big Doug's House

Big Doug's got the Bataan Bomber's back

Doug Kramer, the Powerade Tigers' anchor in the paint, took time to develop in the pros after being drafted 5th overall by the Air21 Express. Little did everyone know back then that the burly forward/ center would mature and become a key contributor to a struggling franchise's title hopes.

It's not that we haven't seen Kramer play this role before (as he did with the JC Intal-led Eagles), it's just that we had doubts if he was too "pogi" for the PBA's rugged style of play that will have him literally trading elbow shots to the face with the Dorian Penas, Ali Peeks, Beau Belgas, JayR Quinahans and the like.

Then he got his tooth knocked out during a rebound skirmish a few months back.

That's where his approach to the league changed from KKS' view. He fought for rebounds before, but never really bothered to dish out cheap shots and use his frame to the hilt. Not anymore. This year, he was released by the same team they just eliminated, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, to the Tigers. He no longer had to play   in a rotation heavy system. He was going to get a chance to shine. He also had veteran bangers to learn from- Rommel Adducul and Alex Crisano.

From the start, Kramer's role was clear: rebound, intimidate and set bruising screens for his superstar guards Bataan Bomber Gary David, Marcio Lassiter and JVee Casio. He played freely under coach Bo Perasol, allowed to take (and make) his pet 15-17 ft jumpers which made the Tigers' even more of a threat if they continue to develop their Pick and Roll play (when that happens, they'd be near impossible to guard because the P&R sucks in a lot of defenders and would open up the floor for the other two knockdown shooters on the court).

During the RoS-Powerade series, Kramer averaged 10 points and 11 rebounds in only 30 minutes of burn. Those are numbers that don't really jump at you from the get go (when compared to elite bigs in the PBA- but then again, who else is left? JayR Reyes?), but considering his place in the Tigers' offensive hierarchy- those are damn near solid.

Heading into the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, Kramer will have his work cut-out for him non-stop. The newly-unleashed Ranidel De Ocampo is wreaking havoc as the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters' new main man in their re-modeled offense, Kelly Williams is athletic and quick, Japeth Aguilar will have his day jumping all over the place and lastly, Ali Peek is Ali Peek.

But make no mistake about it, while all the attention will rightfully go to the Tigers' high scoring trio of Lassiter, Casio and the Bataan Bomber, Kramer is just as invaluable if they are to win their first championship under the Bo Perasol era.

PS

We're still waiting for that Kenneth Duremdes comeback. One more game. One more game.

Powerade continues Cinderella story, enters finals

In a semifinals match-up that the young Rain or Shine Elasto Painters never fully understood, the Powerade Tigers led by the Bataan Bomber Gary David and his Hitmen won in seven games to march onto the Philippine Cup Finals.

Balik PBA Finals na ako! 

Just when observers thought that the Elasto Painters have finally solved the Tigers' high-octane attack, they fall back into their old habits and allowed the Tigers to shoot freely-- believing in their own coach's philosophy that "shooters are bound to run out of bullets."

Apparently not.

Time and again the Elasto Painters failed to close out on several of the Tigers who survived a rare off night from  star Gary David but had plenty of help from battle-tested rookies JVee Casio and Marcio Lassiter.

And since we're on the subject, Mico Halili, you are starting to become the new Quinito Henson. No one finds "The Smurfinator" cute. Seriously man. We're all basketball geeks/ fanboys here, but a line has to be drawn somewhere.

Was drafting JVee Casio the answer to the Tigers' Cinderella run to the Finals?

Possibly.

Because when David started drawing blanks, Casio was there to pick up the slack and shoot the team back into the fight.

But the real credit should go to Marcio Lassiter.

The hard-working small forward is the sole reason why the Tigers' have made it this far, with his rare combination of lockdown, hard-nosed defense and solid offensive game. Without him, the Tigers' would've been just another trigger happy team with has-been bigs and back-up point guards at the helm.

But the Tigers isn't just about the Big 3 alone. They have solid role players, and arguably another unheralded Atenean alum in big man Doug Kramer.

The beefy center/forward is one of the biggest reasons why the Elasto Painters' guards were unable to slash into the basket at will. He also set up some Grade A sturdy screens for his guards on the other end of the floor.

Congratulations to Tigers' head coach Bo Perasol. He'll probably never be given credit for his coaching exploits, but the man has led two different teams to the Finals and stuck through thick and thin despite hellish, D-League worthy line-ups (Air21) and mish-mash rosters (Powerade).

For Rain or Shine, there's nothing but positives to be gained from this conference. The immaturity is undeniable but with that comes potential. Paul Lee may not be the best rookie in the 2011 PBA Draft, but he is the best fit for this once soul-less team. Jeffrei Chan continues to become one of the league's deadliest snipers while JayR Quinahan and Beau Belga are bound to become top-tier power forwards in the PBA (had they been taller, they'd be beastly as centers subbing for the other).

As for Gabe Norwood, well, he's like the poor man's Lamar Odom. He puts up the numbers, but not when they count. For all the talent that he has, he shies from pressure situation and settles for the easy way out.

There's no point in going around with this, Yeng Guiao was pretty much out oached the entire series except Game 6 when RoS buckled down to work and finally slowed the game down.

Can the Tigers continue their magical run and bag the Philippine Cup title?

We'll touch on that later.

Tigers' Trap

Teams be warned: Do not engage
the Bataan Bomber and his Hitmen in a shootfest

For teams wanting to imitate the Powerade Tigers' run and gun attack which has paid dividends (so far): be warned. Not all run and gun teams blitz their way to the Championship. They usually either face a disciplined team with a strong willed coach and system in place OR run themselves to the ground and shoot blanks due to fatigue.

Credit goes to the Tigers' coaching staff for minimizing their weaknesses (absence of Class A floor generals) and maximizing their strengths (shooters). JVee Casio, a point guard only by size and position but not by game, is more scorer than facilitator. And while die-hard fans would quickly point out his assists numbers from time to time, it's more of having deadeye shooters to play with instead of creating scoring opportunities.

Gary David, Kili-Kili Shot's resident Bataan Bomber, is also another player whose negatives are being taken off the spotlight in favor of the positives. We've seen games wherein he'd try to shoot his team back into the fight by putting up back to back to back three balls even when it's not going in.

Do we hear his team complaining or commentators calling him out? No.

Because the Tigers' frenetic pace allows the action to quicken therefor making you forget that just a play ago, David air balled a shot or was responsible for the violent murder of a hapless tailed wall-crawler. Ditto with Casio and even Marcio Lassiter.

Another Tigers' weakness that is being covered for by their high octane offense is their lack of overall defensive discipline.

Undisciplined teams (or those given too much free rein by coaches) often fall into the Tigers' trap of trying to outpoint the opposition and pushing the pace at an insane, Mike D'Antoni level. The Tigers of course, enjoy the upper hand in such scenarios because while the other team would settle for a quick two, they have guys who have enough credibility to hoist quick threes and live to tell about it.

This is the very same tactic used by NBA coaches such as Greg Popovich and Phil Jackson when their teams face wildcards such as the Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns of years passed and in some ways, the pre-2011 Dallas Mavericks.

Their teams are not caught into the allure of a high scoring game and they send out their guards to control the tempo at all times. Emphasis is placed in their post players to further grind away on the shotclock and keep possessions at a minimum.

This isn't rocket science or anything new, Jackson and Popovich didn't create this coaching scheme. So it's quite surprising that old reliables such as B-Meg's Tim Cone and now, Rain or Shine's Yeng Guiao, allows this to continue.

Had Cone been with the Llamados long enough, he'd surely have more control of his team (who probably felt that they had enough firepower to outgun the Tigers, not realizing that they had scorers instead of shooters).

Guiao? We'd be silly to think that he hasn't thought of this (RoS displayed the ball control we've been looking for the whole series in Game 6), but the way he coaches his players- by letting them loose on the floor and making themselves accountable that's the only reason why the Tigers are still in the fight and could very well be looking at their first Finals appearance under the Perasol-led RUN David-Marcio-Casio era.

Bataan Bomber needs a sidekick

Panginoon, pakibalik po ung laro ni Lassiter para sa Game 2

Last night's PBA Pinoy Cup Semis Game 1 Powerade Tigers loss to the Rain or Shine Elastopainters further cemented what many already know: teams need more than a superstar (no matter how great) to win.

Gary David displayed yet again just how good a scorer he is (and lately, consistently as opposed to the previous years, 20 points one game, 10 the next) and just how better he is offensively than some of the overhyped, flashy guards in the league. Problem was, despite his 30 points (17 in the first half), there was nothing the Bataan Bomber (KKS will keep using this monicker until it sticks) could do to stop the balanced RoS avalanche.

This is not a knock on David, but he is and will always be a scorer. Already in his 30s, don't count on him to add a post up game or develop a drive-and-kick 5 assists per night mentality. That's not who he is, and that's not something he should bother with.

The real problem here is Marcio Lassiter's abysmal 1 for 7 shooting. The usually reliable, do-it-all Scottie Pippen to David's Michael Jordan failed to live up to the hype and probably had a case of rookie semis jitters.

Was he saving up his energy for defense? That's doubtful. Not with RoS rookie counterpart Paul Lee exploding for 25 and marksman Jeffrei Chan for 27. Jayvee Casio tried to put up a fight with 12 markers, but his lack of creativity goes beyond the 9 assists that he norms per outing (that's what playing beside sharpshooters would do for your stats, ask the Boston Celtics' Rajon Rondo who is a great player in his own right, but you'd be joking to rank him over Chris Paul and Deron Williams).

RoS' gameplan was run to perfection: let the Bataan Bomber run amock, but keep everyone else in check. On the flipside, the Tigers couldn't figure out which player they wanted to really stop to disrupt the RoS offense because of the latter's spread out, "call your own number if you're open" philosophy. Yesterday it was Larry Rodriguez. Don't be surprised if Ronnie Matias, Jervy Cruz or even Ryan Arana break free in the coming games.

Against the BMeg Llamados, they went up against a team that was a bit too overconfident and loose and enjoyed an insane shooting clip from David, Casio and Lassiter. With RoS, the Tigers will need more than just the Bataan Bomber to advance to the Pinoy Cup Finals.