Thoughts on The Jet's Firing

The Jet in action
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

After weeks of speculation, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel has finally decided to part ways with Jeffrey Cariaso who was tasked to introduce a new, "winning" culture just April of this year.

The move comes as somewhat of a surprise, considering the fact that almost everyone bought into the idea that the "Triangle Offense" made popular locally by Cariaso's mentor, and Purefoods head coach Tim Cone, takes time to truly show results. Apparently, two conferences and a mediocre 12 wins in 23 games total was all the Ginebra Management could afford to spare for the considerably young head coach.

So what prompted Ginebra Management to pull the plug on the Triangle-preaching Cariaso and return to old hand Ato Agustin?

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.

Ginebra Plays The Blame Game

After another disappointing run,
Siot's walking on thin ice

Could the Barangay Ginebra Kings really have won their epic semifinals duel with the mighty BMeg Llamados had they chosen to keep Chris Alexander instead of the now “butt-of-all-chokes/jokes” Jackson Vroman?

Would they have advanced to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals had Mark Caguioa not suffered the nasty eye socket injury he did (also at the hands of BMeg but in an earlier showdown)?

Tuned out

Is Siot still in charge?

It's hard to be a coach in the professional league, specially if you're asked to steer the basketball scene's most popular squad which has the roster to make deep playoff runs night in and night out.

Tonight, Barangay Ginebra head coach Siot Tangquincen experienced what most coaches fear the most-- to be tuned out by his own team in the crucial stage of their Game 2 duel with the BMeg Llamados that they ended up losing. No timeouts were called when Ginebra clearly needed one to settle down the troops. Siot was frantically pacing up and down the court trying to get everyone's attention.

Take the lead

Cool Cat has always
been clutch in big games

Now that star Mark Caguioa is out of the playoff picture thanks to an ugly facial bone injury, all eyes are on whoever is going to carry the cudgels for the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings as they face sister team BMeg Llamados in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Semifinals.

Fortunately for the Kings, they were able to “solve” that problem with the acquisition of versatile big man Kerby Raymundo (through a trade with BMeg) and the replacement of 7”0 rebounder Chris Alexander with 6”10 energetic scorer Jackson Vroman. Vroman will now be given free room to get buckets and prove to the Kings’ doubting fans why he is and should be considered as an upgrade and wise move overall by the San Miguel brass.

San Miguel Gilas: The dream

Can't win FIBA games on style points

Philippine basketball fans know this by now though some have a hard time grasping its notion, the SMART Gilas Pilipinas basketball team is owned by Manny V. Pangilinan, its head coach is Talk 'n' Text's Chot Reyes, and most of its players will be from the very same PBA team.

There are no arguments to be made there, it's quite clear now that there are two basketball powers in the country (which we love as long as they keep it clean) and that. much like it was San Miguel's turn a decade ago, the ball is now with Team MVP. Simply put, if they can bring in players of equal caliber without jumping ship or having to stoop and beg their rivals, then so be it. Fortunately enough, this country is stacked with basketball talent and that there will always be a star (or more) who are not under their employ.

Ginebra's Vroman: Great Player, Bad Fit (?)

We christen thee: The KKS Wolverine

Days since replacing 7"0 import Chris Alexander for the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings, 6"8 FIBA star Jackson Vroman continues to fail to win over ka-barangays with his fiery style of play. It's not even a matter of putting up the numbers (he almost had a triple double the last time out but the spotlight went to Rudy Hatfield's vintage 30-points, 14 rebounds performance), it's about winning-- something Vroman hasn't had much success with (2-2 card).

But should Vroman really be replaced as some ka-barangays have been calling for? Is he that much of a dud?

Our answer is no.