PBA Draft 2016 Grades

Dem boyz
(Photo credit: inquirer.net)

The 2016 PBA Draft has finally come to an end and with it, the start of promising PBA careers for about 30 or more draftees. Though we will have to admit that some of the proceeding's luster was offset by the whole "special/ regular" thing and the fact that the Gilas picks were revealed by "insiders" as early as Friday morning.

You will have to bear with us regarding the order of the picks, since we were just as dumbfounded as the next guy. From what we have gathered, the "Gilas round" was the "first round" though the players were not called in order of selection (the PBA agreed to call the teams up to the stage alphabetically, which is probably a first in all of pro-sports). To avoid confusion, we are just going to put a "G" next to the names of the Gilas draftees, and start with 1 for Blackwater's Ael Banal and so on.

Here's our team grades:

The 2016 PBA Special and Regular Mock Draft

Get Belo-fied
(Photo credit: interaksyon.com)

Ugh.

The Gilas boys need to come out with red dots on their foreheads. Green for the regulars. Siopao-style.

Special thanks to ABS CBN Sports for the Draft order, as per this report >>> click here.

1 Blackwater - Mac Belo, SF
Arguably the most sound Gilas player to date be it on offense or defense. Though he is not a go-to-guy per se, Belo almost, always ends up being his team's leading scorer (and rebounder) by sheer hard work and simply working efficiently without the basketball. If you were to compare him to any current PBA player, then the guy his game closely resembles is that of TNT's incoming sophomore Troy Rosario-- only with a better dribble game. Belo works the glass relentlessly, has a pocket set-shot from 15 feet and out, and best of all can put the ball on the floor on the pick and roll which makes him an even bigger threat than Rosario. We honestly like what Blackwater is looking at here, since they will be able to parade a blue chip foursome of Roi Sumang, Carlo Lastimosa, Art dela Cruz and Belo right away, with the center position hopefully addressed in the later conferences (via an import).

F8 rewarded

It's been a long day...
(Photo credit: inq.net)

It took eight years and what now seems like a platoon of coaches before Barangay Ginebra San Miguel won another PBA championship, but last night everything just fell into place.

Coach Tim Cone was outsmarting his counterpart on every turn; the team held a 3-2 series lead; the other team’s (Meralco) most defiant soldier—Jimmy Alapag, was hurting; Ginebra’s aging duo of Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand were rallying the "kids";  and no less than the Ginebra beloved Robert Jaworski, Sr. was in attendance. 

The near buzzer-beating triple by import Justin Brownlee, to break an 88-all lock, was icing on the cake.

2016 PBA GC Finals: 3 Ginebra vs 4 Meralco

"Yo, you take on LA okay?"
(Photo credit: PBA.Inquirer.net)

When was the last time that both the lower seeded teams in the Semifinals faced off in the PBA Finals?

Usually, a higher seed (or two) are almost, always locks for a spot(s) in the title series. However, in the 2016 PBA Governor’s Cup, we saw both the 1st ranked TNT Katropa and 2nd San Miguel Beermen fall at the hands of this entry’s protagonists who are ranked lower and should technically be “weaker.”

Right?

Wrong. They just beat the top seeds, so their being supposedly “weak” is moot.

First to make it into the PBA Finals are the Meralco Bolts of Coach Norman Black. After an embarrassing campaign to open the season, the Bolts’ true form started to surface once they were able to work with a dominant center as reinforcement. We saw flashes of how good the team could be in the Commissioner’s Cup when they had mammoth import Arinze Onuaku and now we are seeing even more with Allen Durnham.

On the other side of the fence are the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel; already destined and penciled in for greatness after acquiring the services of 2x PBA Grand Slam coach Tim Cone earlier this year. While they are missing the services of 7”0 slotman Greg Slaughter, everyone has appeared to step up and rally around import Justin Brownlee who was not even their original choice to start the conference.

Two grand slam coaches, two team-oriented philosophies: who wins?

PBA GC SF 2 San Miguel Beer vs 3 Ginebra

The Kraken vs The Aguila(r)
(Photo credit: Sports5.ph)

We are going to be in for quite a #TeamSanMiguel slobber knocker of a semifinals clash between sister teams: defending PBA Governor’s Cup champions San Miguel Beer and the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

In a sense, this is the basketball God’s way of “testing” head coach Tim Cone’s Ginebra squad: should they wish to further themselves and live up to championship expectations, then they will have to go through arguably the most dominant team in the last two seasons. It won’t be easy, since the Beermen appear to have (re)embraced a certain “win now, win big” philosophy anchored on making the most out of 2x PBA MVP Junemar Fajardo’s (still young) basketball career.

So who will win the Best-of-Five affair (which, in all honestly, would most likely command audiences worthy of any PBA Finals or All Star Game all in itself)? Here is our take:

2016 PBA GC QF: 3 Ginebra vs 6 Alaska

It's Japeth's time
(Photo credits to the owner)

Paki taas lang po ng kamay yung mga Alaska fans na nakahinga ng maluwag na hindi San Miguel ang napares sa kanila sa Quarterfinals. Seriously, we wouldn’t blame the Gatas Republic if they have developed some sort of Beermen-trauma by now.

That being said, it should be rather entertaining to see the “Never Say Die” heirs squaring off with the “No Quit Squad” with much of the focus squarely on Calvin Abueva. It is no secret that Abueva loves to play against Ginebra (and their legion of fans); and that since he has been inserted into the starting unit the Aces have been on a roll in the PBA Governor’s Cup.

Here is how we see the match-ups playing out:

2016 PBA Mock Draft Version 1

Who will be the 2016 PBA Draft Top Pick?
(Photo credit: Spin.ph)

The 2016 PBA Draft is just around the corner (October 30 to be exact) and we cannot help but feel excited with the names available. Sure, there is the possibility/ threat of a Gilas 5.0 pullout, but we are simply going to operate under the impression that the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and the PBA will be able to come to an understanding by then.

Also, the PBA will be welcoming its 13th franchise—the Hapee Fresh Fighters which should provide us all with even more games to look forward to and stars to cheer for.

A special shout-out goes to the folks over at PBADraft.net, as we have admittedly lost track of “who picks where” because of our day jobs.  Trust that this is only the first version, and that we will most likely come up with updates in the coming weeks before D-day.

No gentleman

E DI WOW!
(Photo credit: Spin.ph)

Well that was funny.

In case you missed it, the entire Globalport Batang Pier coaching staff and management opted not to shake the hands of their conquerors, the NLEX Road Warriors, after their game last night. The Warriors won 114-98, but not before calling a timeout in the dying seconds which drew the Batang Pier's ire.

See, there are two unwritten but universally observed "gentlemen's" basketball rules:

The Ginebra Blueprint (Part 2)

Team continuity and good looks help too.
(Photo credit to the owner)

(... continued)

Here’s a rundown of the PBA teams who could try to be like Ginebra/ build a fanbase like Ginebra (if they haven't already):

Alaska – they almost came close to becoming the new Ginebra until Management decided to pull in the reins a bit and go back to their identity as prim and proper, clean-cut subdivision basketball players (aided by a few trabahador imports, of course).

Blackwater, Phoenix, Mahindra – young franchises who; if they play their cards right and not be involved in lopsided deals, could build on young, proven collegiate talent + established veteran names who are looking for one last shot at the limelight, could  go somewhere. Manny Pacquiao's popularity certainly gave Mahindra a bit of an early lead though.

The Ginebra Blueprint (Part 1)

Lahing Ginebra, laking Ginebra
(Photo credit: Inquirer.net)

The Philippine Basketball Association appears to be at a complete loss when it comes to trying to achieve even a quarter of the Manila Classico live audiences for games that do not feature Barangay Ginebra (and in some ways, Star Hotshots).

Just how on earth did Ginebra grow into such a cash-cow, given the fact that it has hardly been in the PBA Finals while also being a non-family friendly brand in itself? Is it really because of Robert Jaworski, Sr.’s magic? The man dubbed as the “Living Legend” has been retired for nearly two decades now. Is it because of the “masa” charm of their players? Greg Slaughter, Sol Mercado and Chris Ellis do not exactly connect with the stereotype.

So what gives?

Starpower

Encore
(Photo credit: Aktv)

While we have always been critical of the PBA All Star Game format for some of the players who are voted/ selected, we will be the first ones to admit that we don’t mind a fun-filled weekend wherein we are able to see our favorite players ham it up, dance, dribble and dunk with the 4th d, defense, being the last thing in play.

Voted as the North All Stars starters are:  Terrence Romeo, Mark Caguioa, Calvin Abueva, Marc Pingris and Japeth Aguilar. They will be joined by Jayson Castro, Alex Cabagnot, Gabe Norwood (Marcio Lassiter’s replacement), Paul Lee, Ranidel de Ocampo, Stanley Pringle and Troy Rosario, and coached by Rain or Shine’s Yeng Guiao.

For the South, it will be San Miguel’s coach Leo Austria and starters James Yap, Scottie Thompson, Greg Slaughter, June Mar Fajardo and Joe Devance. Coming off the bench are Jeffrei Chan, JR Quinahan, Jericho Cruz, Chris Ross, Mark Barroca, RR Garcia, Carlo Lastimosa and Asi Taulava.

Do we like the rosters?

The Final Cut

Two of the best.
(Photo credit: Nuki Sabo, PBA Images)

Or cuts.

Though we are not privy to the Gilas Pilipinas on-goings, it would not be much of a stretch to say that it was probably quite a painful task to cut proven stars, point guard L.A. Tenorio and small forward Calvin Abueva, from the Final 12 that will represent the country in the coming FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament this July.

With all due respect to the Final 12, which we will write about on a separate entry, Tenorio and Abueva are arguably the best players at their natural positions today.

New Year’s Resolutions and Wishes

Season's greetings!
(Photo credit to Inquirer.net)

Happy New Year everyone! Hope that you are all safe and happy (with all ten digits on your hands). Here is our fantasy-list of resolutions/ wishes for all 12 PBA teams moving forward:

Alaska Aces – let the kids play!
For a team that plays with so much hustle and tenacity, we have always admired the Aces for still being able to hold on to that overall team discipline both on and off the court. They are the PBA’s greatest asset IMHO, and a franchise that is worth emulating from coach to player. This being said, we would like to see less of the aging Tony dela Cruz and more of Rome dela Rosa and Kevin Racal please.

Kalma lang

Photo credit to PBA.Inquirer.net

Dear Ginebra fans,

Kamusta kayo? Matapos maabot ang alapaap nung kapaskuhan at pauwiing luhaan ang napakarami ding Star Hotshots fans, eto kayo ngayon at sinusubukan bumawi sa mapait na pagkatalo kagabi sa Global Port.

May dahilan ba kayo para magalit?

Oo. Kahit sabihin pa ng iba na hater niyo ako (na hindi naman, dahil kung Ginebra die-hard talaga kayo e dapat alam niyo kung saan ko nakuha itong pangalan ng blog ko, bilang dati akong kasapi), may punto naman talaga. Lagpas limang segundo naman talaga kung bibilangin maigi. Kaso hindi binilang. At hindi ni-review. Pinaubos na lang ang oras, at tapos na ang basketball.

PBAPC QF2: 4 Ginebra vs 5 GlobalPort

All eyes are on Romeo, but they should
really be on this man
(Photo credit to PBA.Inquirer.net)

Well that didn't take too long, now did it?

After getting through their respective Quarterfinals Phase 1 assignments, the PBA Philippine Cup's 4th (Barangay Ginebra) and 5th (Global Port) seeds are set to meet in a knockout Phase 2 match-up to decide who will face the Alaska Aces in one side of the conference semifinals.

Pretty safe to throw away the stats now, since by now everyone should be familiar with who can be counted on for both sides. For Ginebra, the offense will always start with Greg Slaughter, followed by Japeth Aguilar, Mark Caguioa and L.A. Tenorio. Usually in that same order. For Global Port, it is Stanley Pringle (because he logs close to 40 minutes a game!), Terrence Romeo (hot or cold) and whoever wishes to contribute on offense (lately, Jay Washington has been putting together a bunch of solid, double-double games).

2015 PBA Philippine Cup: Rookie Report Card

One guy's been delivering, the other subpar
(Photo credit to Spin.ph)

Before things start to get too crazy in the PBA Philippine Cup Playoffs, here is our "Report Card" on the 2015 PBA Draft 1st rounders. With teams like Meralco and Mahindra now out of contention, we feel that now is the best time to come up with such since who knows what roles the rooks will play once the imports come in for the next two conferences (history says that they will probably and most likely enjoy reduced roles).

Special mention goes out to Mahinda's Bradwyn Guinto (24mpg 9ppg 9rpg) and NLEX's Simon Enciso (26mpg 8ppg 2rpg 3apg) for basically playing their way into their respective team's rotation and showing that while they were picked late (both 2nd rounders), hard work is always rewarded even in a league chockfull of talent and stars.

Oh, and Rain or Shine's Don Trollano is Mr. YOLO. God bless him.


12. Josan Nimes, SF, Rain or Shine
Stats: 9mpg 3ppg 1rpg 1apg

Nimes has legitimate Grade A basketball IQ, he knows when and where to pass, how to position himself on defense and actually plays a lot like a veteran PG. What is lacking at the moment is some aggressiveness, he hasn't shown a willingness to hit and get hit and most often is happy just creating plays for others. Kumbaga, nahihiya pa.

Grade: C

PBAPC16 QF: 4 Ginebra vs 9 Star

Photo credit to PBA.Inquirer.net

Call this a rallying point.

When Coach Tim Cone left Star for Ginebra (taking Joe DeVance with him in the process), the team was left in shell-shocked and in shambles. Guys were not responding to head coach Jason Webb, no matter how fun his free-flowing offense appears to be and you could just see the lack of intensity on the defensive end.

Well, you know what they say about champions and their pride right?

Jordan Pippen

Jordan Pippen
(Photo credit to the owner)

“I’ll be Jordan on offense and Scottie on defense.”

You know what they say about sleeping in the bed that you made; good or bad, you are stuck with it and will always be responsible and accountable for your words and actions. For Barangay Ginebra San Miguel's Chris Ellis, the above quote was taken from a Spin.Ph piece written by Snow Badua when asked how he sees himself fitting in head coach Tim Cone's Triangle Offense moving forward.

24 minutes 5 points 5 rebounds 1 assist 1 turnover 34% from 2 and 13% from 3/ per game

There is hardly anything Jordan-esque, hell even Pippen-esque with those numbers in nine games played so far.

But making fun of Ellis, jocosely dubbed "Jordan Pippen," would be too easy and is not why we are here. We are here to help.

But being born and raised from the old school cement courts of Pasay, this is not for the weak of heart.

Blood on the water

Unstoppable
(Photo credit to the owner)

There is blood on the water yet they do not fear. A harbinger of undeniable destruction to all things. They make water spinach jokes when they should be at unrest. They do not see the greatness that is blossoming right before their very eyes.

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, still incomplete and sloppy in games, has reached the 0.500 mark in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup. Their head coach, Tim Cone, has dismissed any notion of his team being favorites or Finals shoo-ins. Their play suggests that much-- that there is still much to do and learn before they could entertain such glorious thoughts. He is right.  But then again, it does not take much prodding for a lackadaisical beast to go on rampage. It does not take that big a hole to destroy an already filled to the brim dam.

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.