PBA GovCup Finals: Family Feud

Like most family feuds,
it's going to be ugly
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Did you know that the (established) San Miguel Corporation PBA franchises: Petron Blaze, San Mig Coffee and Barangay Ginebra have a grand total of 36 PBA championships among them? Petron Blaze is lording it over with an astonishing 19 titles while the little brothers—SMC and Ginebra are trying to create separation from the other with 9 and 8, respectively.

With Petron Blaze and San Mig Coffee being armed to the teeth (both possess arguably the most star-studded and star-heavy eight-man rotation in the whole PBA), it’s going to be mighty interesting how the series turns out. We explore the match-ups and who has the edge overall:

PG Alex Cabagnot/ Chico Lanete vs Alex Mallari/ Mark Barroca

It’s going to be Cabagnot’s heady play and clutch shooting taking on the ultra aggressive Mallari and the cerebral and efficient Barroca. Quite frankly, we’re not loving the match-up for Cabagnot since he’ll be asked to chase either of SMC’s guards against a bunch of brush and flare screens. Don’t be surprised if the Fil-Hawaiian point guard lands in foul trouble early or if we see Denok Miranda make some early appearances just to give Petron a different look.

Adv SMC

Petron SMASH!

Even new recruit Doug Kramer's bought
into the Petron system
(Photo courtesy of PBA InterAKTV)

Hell hath no fury like a couple of scorned Gilas hopefuls

That was the message sent by the Petron Blaze Boosters last night en route to their 122-88 trashing of heated rival Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters. The Texters, which boasts of four core Gilas players (not to mention the brain/financial thrust) , were never really in it no thanks to the Boosters' unforgiving defense and high octane, sweet-shooting offense.

Is Olsen safe?

Life was probably simpler for Coach O
back when he was playing

In case you haven't already heard, there's a "coaching re-organization" reportedly in the works within the San Miguel Corporation ranks. This, after the abrupt dismissal of Gee Abanilla as head coach of the De La Salle Green Archers in the collegiate ranks (which is banked by Danding Cojuangco of Team SMC).

Some circles say that Abanilla is on his way to playing a role for one of Team SMC's PBA ballclubs, another  have him being given the boot because of a lackluster coaching job in a recently concluded pocket tournament.  How this affects Racela is simple: either Abanilla (or someone flying under the radar) is out to get his spot or as shown with Cojuangco's patience for the former DLSU coach, Racela is next to go given his so-so performance as head coach of the Petron Blaze Boosters in the PBA.

But what did they really expect when they handed Racela the head coaching gig?

Into the PBA Commish Cup Playoffs (Part 2.1)

All eyes on Fajardo

Petron Blaze Boosters (3) vs Talk n Text Tropang Texters (6) vs 
To dismiss this Playoff match-up as just another "game on the schedule" would be a disservice-- borderline criminal even. We know the on-court rivalry which is shadowed moreso by what's going on off-court. What we have previously coined as "The Silent War" lives on; albeit toned down somewhat for the sake of Philippine basketball. But make no mistake about it, once the ball is in the air bodies will start getting thrown with reckless abandon and the bonus checks and other perks will be handed the winning team despite this not being for all the marbles just yet.

PG Jimmy Alapag/ Jayson Castro vs Denok Miranda/ Alex Cabagnot
The yardstick of all Filipino pointguards and his bull-strong, cat-quick understudy versus the guy who crashed the "Best PG discussion" a season ago (only to fall back down to earth) and a defensive-minded pitbull. Yep, this series will be ultimately decided by whichever backcourt will be able to dictate their team's tempo. We all know that Petron is a better team on the run while TNT (under coach Norman Black) prefers the old school, halfcourt grind-it-out approach. Castro vs Miranda will be interesting since it will push Miranda to the hilt and test his reputation as being one of the league's premier defensive guards. We know he has the body to match with Castro, we're not so sure if the same can be said about his speed. Alapag versus Cabagnot would be a masterful lecture on "Clutch 101"-- Cabagnot's been under a lot of heat for his hero-balling ways, but what do you call Alapag's ballsy long treys? Aren't those "hero ball" plays as well? Difference of course is that Alapag makes them. Cabagnot, after 15 seconds of dribbling the air out of the ball, just jacks and prays.

Adv. TNT

Petron proves there's life after Balkman

Sonny Thoss can kiss his default
"Best Center in the Philippines" title goodbye

In their first outing after the whole Renaldo Balkman episode that has reached global proportions, the Petron Blaze Boosters finally looked like the team that they were supposed to be considering their elite local starpower.

Playing in front of a sold out Panabo City crowd (controversy, as the years will tell you, creates monetary opportunities for all), the Boosters were able to take solo 2nd in the ongoing PBA Commissioner's Cup by beating the Rain or Shine Elastopainters, 87-79. At the forefront of the victory were rookie Junemar Fajardo who finished with a stellar 20 points and 13 rebounds output and sophomore Marcio Lassiter who chipped in 14 points (12 in the deciding 4th quarter to finally breakaway from the E-Painters).

Hustlin' Harder

Everyday he's hustlin'
(photo courtesy of Inquirer.Net)

There’s more to the Petron Blaze Boosters’ impressive 3-1 start this PBA Commissioner’s Cup than just their heavily tatted (his “Hustle Harder” eyelids included), NBA caliber (and Team Sheryl Reyes) import Renaldo Balkman.

Granted, Balkman is lording it over with team-leading averages of 27.75 points, 12.5 rebounds, 1.75 steals and 3.75 blocks a night, but there’s a huge difference in the team’s overall approach to the game. No, head coach Olsen Racela didn’t earn a high level degree in coaching overnight, they are simply back to playing basic, helter-skelter basketball.

Lead by example

Remember when Arwind was THIS good?
(It wasn't THAT long ago folks)

After calling out his Petron Blaze Boosters teammates, his point guard Alex Cabagnot in particular, Arwind Santos lived up to the drama by submitting his most dominant and all around game in recent memory finishing up with 22 points and 17 rebounds to lead his team to a 98-95 win over Ginebra.

Cabagnot, seemingly the missing key to the Boosters' puzzle, finished with 7 points, 8 assists and 5 turnovers while playing third most minutes (38) after Santos (39) and Chris Lutz (45). To say that Cabagnot has been playing without any "heart" would be an understatement. The guy is simply not competing at all (there was one loose ball play wherein he lost his man L.A. Tenorio right in front of the basket for an easy deuce).

SMART Gilas: Drop and give me 20

Pag sumama si Pingris, palitan na ung "Dribble Drive, "
tawaging "Patay kung patay" Pilipinas basketball

Tama na muna ung pagiging maka-"kampihan" natin. Pilipinas muna ulit ang unahin. Wag na natin ipilit ung matatanda na. Yung "mukhang pang NBA" pero puro papogi lang alam. Kunin natin ung talagang magpapakamatay para sa bola. Ung hindi papogi (Hi Alex Cabagnot).

PG L.A. Tenorio/ Jayson Castro/ Ryan Reyes/ JVee Casio
Well duh. Tenorio has proven that he can get just about anywhere on the floor. Castro is as good as they get. Reyes makes shots and plays hellaciously tough D that would make Jaworski proud and Casio is clutch. Wanted to get Sol Mercado, but who'd he bump off? Dribble drive ba kamo? 

SG Jeffrei Chan/ Jarred Dillinger/ Chris Lutz/ James Yap
Pretty solid if you ask me. Wag na natin ipilit ung mga Gary David at Mark Caguioa. 35+ na yung mga yun. Yap's in if only to please the 26k strong San Mig Coffee Mixers planet. No, seriously, Yap's been doing work under Coach Tim Cone-- the best effort we've seen from him not since his UE days.

Every man for himself

Where'd this guy go?

The Petron Blaze Boosters finally looked like a team on the floor last night, dominating the hapless Barako Bull Energy Cola 98-89 and just running and executing under neophyte "coach" Olsen Racela.

Leading the way were Chris Lutz, Alex Cabagnot and Arwind Santos who all appeared to strive under the transition game. Lutz, who topscored for the Boosters with 22, was his usual "silent assassin" self-- getting to his spots on the floor and just letting the game come to him. Why Mico Halili et. al. hasn't tagged him as the PBA's "The Natural" ala the NBA's Brandon Roy, we'll leave to them.

Santos also bounced back from an abysmal first game against Rain or Shine while Cabagnot provided the heroics and closing efforts when the Boosters opted to take its collective "foot off the gas" so to speak and allowed the Colas to come back in the 4th quarter.

Rain or Shine survives The Kraken

Basta si Jeff Chan ang sumipat, ilista mo na

With all due respect to the so-called powerhouse teams (on paper) in the PBA, the Rain or Shine Elastopainters look like they're the most complete team in the league today. First to go down are the heavily-favored Petron Blaze Boosters who not only have a bunch of guys who could easily fill out a Team Pilipinas/All Star roster, but also the league's number one overall draft pick and a guy expected to dominate for years, 6"9 June Mar "The Kraken" Fajardo.

The game started out real close, but come the second half the Elastopainters buckled down to work and started flexing their muscles-- literally. There were hard screens and fouls that appeared to have knocked the wind out of the Boosters-- unable to keep in step with the Elastopainters who were either driving to the rim or just passing the ball all over the court to find the open man.

SMART Gilas 2 needs to muscle up

Doug Kramer deserves a look

What's done is done, and yesterday's loss-- no matter how painful, will and should be treated as just another learning curve that our SMART Gilas Pilipinas men's basketball team has to go through to reclaim our once mighty status this side of the world.

Though the loss cost as a shot at the FIBA Asia title, let's all remember that there's still the 2013 FIBA Asia Championships which serves as qualifier for the FIBA Worlds. Let's not get ahead of ourselves now, and just stick to trying to win in Asia no matter the level of competition or play. Here are some guys, Team SMC or MVP, who should or deserve a look when it's time for Coach Chot Reyes et. al. to reassess the team and see where we need beefing up.

Hopefully, when we say "reassess and build," Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan is still at the forefront of our courageous efforts and not divorcing the program like he did with his Alma Mater.

The Petron Puzzle

Pinoy LeBron: He's back.
But is it a good thing?

For such a stacked team, the Petron Blaze Boosters' current placing on the PBA Governor's Cup standings would make one reconsider if they really have the league's best-- in terms of players, coaches and overall make-up.

As far as firepower is concerned, it doesn't get any better than the likes of Alex Cabagnot, Joseph Yeo, Chris Lutz, Marcio Lassiter, Dondon Hontiveros and Jay Washington. On defense, you have elite-level guys like FEU buddies Denok Miranda and Arwind Santos, and the usually steady Noy Baclao (if he could ever find minutes for himself consistently).

Still, they are under performing and losing to teams who don't even feature a quarter of the Boosters' star-power.

Down to a two-man race for ROY

Sayo ang Pilipinas, akin ang Tondo!

JVee Casio, Paul Lee, Chris Lutz and Marcio Lassiter.

This season's top four draft picks have more than lived up to the hype; after the Philippine Cup-- the race couldn't be any tighter. Petron's Lutz' crazy efficiency was off the charts, Powerade's Casio was putting in clutch performances left and right when called upon, Rain or Shine's Lee quickly took control of a franchise while Lassiter trumped them all with a stellar two-way display in leading his team (along with Casio) to the Finals.

Boosters on full tank; run over Tigers

The game was decided in favor of the Petron Blaze Boosters the minute the Powerade Tigers' Rabeh Al Hussaini blew his top (as always) and got himself ejected on yet another immature play.

Al Hussaini's best years were under Coach Norman.
You know, when he was focused.

Yes, the Boosters were already up in the score cards after the 1st half thanks to a more aggressive (and well rested) looking Alex Cabagnot, Arwind Santos and import Eddie Basden. But the game was close early up until Al Hussaini lost his cool to the man who replaced him in the Boosters' fold-- Dorian Pena.

Pena was doing nothing out of the ordinary (for the bruising enforcer anyway), so the brunt of the blame falls squarely on Al Hussaini who managed only 4 points and 0 rebounds while playing in spurts in the first two quarters. The Tigers fought back and even took the lead when Al Hussaini was on the bench behind veterans Rommel Adducul and Jondan Salvador who were all too happy to dish out the same Pena, WWE-style physicality in the paint.

The All Star Joke

See you in the All Star Game kid

The votes have been tallied and the stars are all set to shine in the beautiful city of Laoag this May. From a basketball fan's standpoint, there's no arguing that the most popular names were sent to represent their teams, from a basketball purist's perspective, the voting system and overall selection couldn't have been any worse.

Not only did the league settle for getting the Top 5 vote-getters, but they did it regardless of the position similar to how the PBA Mythical 5 has been picked the last three-four years. Difference being, the Mythical 5 allows that whenever there's no legit dominant player in a certain position. This is the All Star Game, we want to see the best guys in their positions and not guys trying to play whatever. This could've easily been fixed had the PBA All Star voting system classified the guys per position and asked for the fans to vote and not just throw random names out there and get the most popular.

SMART Gilas Tropang Texters

If there's anything that was proven in yesterday's 110-98 victory over the gigantic frontline of the Alaska Aces, it's that the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters are the best, star-studded line-up in all of Philippine basketball.

Gaano kaya kaiba ung kalalabasan ng 2009 FIBA-Asia
kung nakapaglaro si RR imbis na si Willie Miller bilang PG?

Yes, Barangay Ginebra has the household names, but they never seem to be truly healthy and could only boast of one guy who's the best at his position at this point (Mark Caguioa). Rival Petron also has some solid star power but not as established as those of the Gin Kings and not on the same plateau as the Texters. BMeg? Well, we'll just have to wait another conference before coach Tim Cone finally figures out that new recruit JC Intal is no Marcio Lassiter/ Scottie Pippen and that he can't win with three scorers playing heavy minutes at the perimeter without at least one of them being a lockdown defender (they should've pushed to get Dylan Ababou, hey maybe they could consider stealing Bitoy Omolon from Air21).

Strugg-LEE-ng: Waiting on Paul Lee

Forgive the Quinito/Halili-esque title, but two games into the PBA Commissioner's Cup, it's pretty clear that Rain or Shine's star rookie Paul Lee is underperforming in, quite expectedly, their two losses.

Lee: Sana ibabad ako ni Coach

Averaging an acceptable, yet paltry for superstar standards, 9.5 points, 1.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.5 steals, 2 turnovers in 25.5 minutes, Lee appears to be a bit tentative on the floor and is not his usual, cerebral self.

Granted, playing in only 25 minutes and relinquishing lead star role to top-of-the-key, iso-happy, undersized power forward import Duke Crews will do that to anyone but that's where Lee's all around offensive brilliance is being missed. Compared to last conference, Lee was playing catalyst for RoS by virtue of getting to the rim and dishing out kick-out drives. This time? Not so much.

KKS Fantasy: Creating SMART Gilas 2, Chot-style

Can't have Gilas without these two

Run and gun, attack relentlessly, hustle, bump and tumble. Smash mouth basketball that puts a premium on outscoring the opponent at every turn, and when possible, to run them right out of the gym.

From his title run earlier in 2000 with Coca Cola to his current CV-filler with Talk 'n' Text, Coach Chot's style is his and his alone in the local basketball scene. Robert Jaworski preached rugged defense, Tim Cone wanted fluidity through set plays, Jong Uichico tinkered with his line-up to play textbook basketball, Rajko Toroman called for hundreds of double picks for his point guard and Yeng Guiao pretty much let his players do whatever the hell they wanted on the floor.

Reyes has a little bit of everything mentioned above in his sleeve.

Never underestimate the heart of a champion

Admittedly or not, the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters entered their semifinals series versus the Petron Blaze Boosters still seething from their foiled Grand Slam bid just a conference back. It showed in the way they fought tooth and nail despite the injuries, and none more than today's Game 7 which they won via the slimmest of margins, 92-91.

Pinoy Cup champs regrouped just in the nick of time

KKS' hats off to the Boosters, who had this series in the bag early with a 3-1 lead but failed to close it out in three tries. Alex Cabagnot evolved into the lead point guard in the PBA today, Arwind Santos proved to everyone why he's the guy whose name is almost a shoo-in for Best Player of the Conference and even season Most Valuable Player and finally, Danny Ildefonso turned back the hands of time to show us that the Demolition Man is still hungry for more rings (and may possibly go down as one of the PBA's winningest players when it's all said and done).

But Game 7 was all about the Texters regardless of how tight the score was in the end. Yes, the Boosters caught up and had a chance to win in the end, but it was the adjustments on the Xs and Os by coach Chot Reyes which spelled the biggest difference of them all.

Cabagnot was forced to pass the ball early instead of setting the table up for the Boosters. Santos was effectively cancelled out by rival Kelly Williams et. al. And it was only Chris Lutz and Ildefonso who were able to carry the fight for the Boosters alongside Joseph Yeo.

On the other side of the floor, guys who played in only a couple of games all conference long for the Texters made sure to bring it all out when it mattered most. Jayson Castro, the man known as "The Blur" but has been more like "The Crash" due to his numerous injuries, scattered 21 points. Jimmy Alapag, lost in the ascension of younger point guards like Cabagnot and teammates Castro and Ryan Reyes, had another classic, nay, vintage performance with 14 points and 7 assists.

Ali Peek, a guy who wouldn't even be part of the series if not for his thick muscular build that saved him from a couple of bullets, hauled in a hard-earned/ fought double double of 13 points and 11 rebounds over Ildefonso and understudy Rob Reyes.

Pang-MVP man si Santos, lamang sa poste si RDO

And then, there was the answer.

The last, true Filipino big man in this day and age of 3 points and crossover loving bigs.

He started the series (and the conference) as he usually does- inconsistently. One day he looks like the bigger version of Jun Limpot (only he wins more). The next he looks like Marlou Aquino during the darker Santa Lucia years (pre-Kelly).

Then, Game 4 happened.

Ryan Reyes was reported hurt. The next game, Kelly Williams hurt his hamstring. Ditto with the forever limping Castro.

It was time.

And Ranidel de Ocampo was ready to take over.

KKS said it before and we'll say it again, there's no one in the PBA today that has the same clinical and polished skillset as RDO. Hell, KKS wants this guy to be called "Dr. De Ocampo" just to recognize his insane on court abilities.

But that's just it. Like any doctor, you don't always get what you pay for. Sometimes they just diagnose you, scribble (more like doodle) on a piece of paper and send you off. Others, they take the time to REALLY check up on you, tell you what's wrong and other possibilities.

Ditto with RDO. Sometimes he coasts, others he dominates.

And once the opening was presented to him, to not be the kick-out big man but number one option- he delivered and the Boosters just didn't have anyone on the roster to stay with him.

Ildefonso's solid, but he's a banger-defender in the block. RDO enjoys some nice footwork and range that forces Ildefonso way out of his comfort zone. Rob Reyes? Rookie. Mark Agustin? Yeah, whatever. Baclao? He's so far off his Ateneo game shape KKS would take Agustin over him all day at this point.

So here's to the Texters' injuries and all for surviving this series and making it to the Finals where they can defend their Philippine Cup title. The series could've gone either way honestly, with all the close games, but in the end, there's a big difference between guys who play not to lose and those who play to win.