It's official: PBA names Anti-Gilas

Can the two Cabalens
co-exist to defeat Gilas?

After much online speculation and the PBA's official tallying of the votes for this year's All Star Game to be held at Digos, here's the official line-up of the team that will test the mettle of the SMART Gilas Pilipinas team coached by Chot Reyes.

PG: Alex Cabagnot, JVee Casio; SG: James Yap, reigning PBA MVP Mark Caguioa, Cyrus Baguio; SF: Calvin Abueva, Chris Ellis, Marcio Lassiter; PF: Nino Canaleta, Arwind Santos, Jay Washington; C: Beau Belga

Missing are breakout stars Sol Mercado (he's part of another All Star select team but is a lock to replace the hurting Casio) and Chris Ross, and maybe even guys like Mike Cortez (who's having a stellar season after being reunited with college coach Franz Pumaren) and reigning PBA Rookie of the Year Paul Lee.

It's the little things for Alaska

Plenty of heroes on the Aces' roster
(photo courtesy of Yahoo.com.Ph)

Had you told us last season that the Alaska Aces, freshly divorced from long-time head coach Tim Cone, would turn it around, contend and even take the top spot in a single conference all in a year's time, we'd just dismiss you as a true blue (or red) fanatic who doesn't have a concrete grasp of the game of basketball.

Fortunately for us, no one predicted what was about to come to the Gatas Republik and their followers and no, it wasn't only about PBA Rookie of the Year shoo-in Calvin Abueva or prized offseason recruits JVee Casio and Dondon Hontiveros. The Aces are winning because they play together. They rally around one another and do all the little things necessary to ensure a victory.

Alaska off to immaculate start

RJ Jazul
(photo courtesy of PhilStar.Com)

It's funny how it was only a season ago when the Alaska Aces were cast as one of the proverbial "cellar dwellers" no thanks to their divorce with long time head coach Tim Cone. The players were listless and lethargic (hi Cyrus Baguio), the coach changed from Cone heir Joel Banal in the Philippine and Commissioner's Cup before settling with the then unimpressive Luigi Trillo in the Governor's Cup which was then followed by the exodus of team leader L.A. Tenorio who was coming off a brilliant stint with the SMART Gilas Pilipinas men's basketball team.

Well, what a difference some offseason trades and the PBA Draft does. While Tenorio's floor leadership and court savvy will be missed, the guy he was indirectly traded for- JVee Casio is no patsy. Clutch-wise, Casio is everything Tenorio is (and may be even more) and while the former King Archer is nowhere near half the ball handler his predecessor is, he makes up for it with crisp and timely passes while keeping the turnovers at a minimum.

Texters show poise, tries for 3-peat

Castro was just too fast for Casio et al

We're not sure about the early days, but in the last 20 years no PBA team has successfully defended the Philippine (then All Filipino) Cup for three straight years. History is about to change however if the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters have their way after dismissing the young Alaska Aces in tonight's "you reach, I teach" Game 6 clincher.

We say and quote the great Michael Jordan simply because that's how the Texters played the game. The Aces were battling, scrapping for points behind rookie phenom Calvin "The Beast" Abueva and were in it despite off nights from guards JVee Casio and Cyrus Baguio but they were never really able to take control of the game thanks to the poise shown by the Texters.

#LetAbuevaBeAbueva

If a guy gives you 100% on the floor,
how can you afford to get mad at him

It's funny how a lot of people, Alaska Aces "fans" or not, were quick to call out Aces' rookie Calvin Abueva for his now famed "fumble" of the basketball when he chose to take matters into his own hands to try and cut a 3 point deficit to 1 in the closing seconds of yesterday's 99-95 loss to the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters.

The original play designed by Coach Luigi Trillo called for a three from JVee Casio (who was blowing hot and cold yesterday-- mostly cold in the 1st three quarters before he realized that he needed to start putting up shots). There were other options as well, but Abueva was the only guy who the Texters "allowed" to receive the basketball. Abueva, mindful of his spotty three point shooting, chose to go hard to the rim versus Jarred Dillinger but ended up dribbling the ball against his knee for the turnover.

Texters dominant over gun-shy Aces

Machine Gun Kelly

This was as ugly a semifinals basketball game could get.

Players from both Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters and the Alaska Aces were jittery, they were over eager and looked to be out of their collective wits on the floor to start. Thankfully, PBA MVP and the heart and soul of the Texters' attack-- Jimmy Alapag, got the starting nod from Coach Norman Black and decided to take over the game without putting up points.

Alapag went to work early, looking for his bigs and making them work the Aces' frontline relentlessly. Kelly Williams, another former PBA MVP, shone thanks to Alapag always making sure to keep him involved in the offense. The adjustment made by Coach Black was clear: make the Aces' prized big man Sonny Thoss work hard on defense.

On even ground (?)

Ready to rumble!

The "other" PBA Philippine Cup semifinals pairing of the three-peat seeking Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters versus the Alaska Aces was supposed to be a yawner. Save for some fireworks brought about by rookie Calvin Abueva, the Texters are expected to just run right through the Aces and move on to the Finals.

The Aces made a case for themselves in yesterday's, ugly, grind-it-out game.

While we're still sticking to the Texters winning the series, it's just highly entertaining to see the Aces fighting tooth and nail against the league's best team for the last two-three (even more) years. This, from an Aces team that last season looked lost and ready to close shop after the unceremonious divorce with long time coach Tim Cone (who's part of the other semifinals pairing between San Mig Coffee and Rain or Shine).

Does Alaska have enough?

Let's get physical!

The Alaska Aces are back!

News of the team's "death" was greatly exaggerated, and thanks to the ever competitive brain-thrust led by boss Wilfred Uytengsu the Aces are back in the quarterfinals where they are to face three-peat Philippine Cup championship seeking Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters.

But do they really stand a chance? Most say that their sweep of the Meralco Bolts should be taken as a clear indication that they can wether the vaunted "dribble drive offense" used by the sister teams. Sol Mercado initiates and creates, Ronjay Buenafe and Sunday Salvacion look for the kick-out passes, Mac Cardona looks for seams and cracks to contribute and Cliff Hodge takes care of the hustle and energy. Over at TNT, there's Jayson Castro leading the charge with Ryan Reyes' unguardable corner pocket threes, Larry Fonacier's sniping from all over, Ranidel de Ocampo just waiting his turn and of course, ever-reliable Jimmy Alapag.

Aces Down

DARNA!

After surging near atop the PBA Philippine Cup rankings, the Alaska Aces have come undone and are caught in a string of misfortunes-- be it increasing non-calls, sour perimeter shooting or losing energetic rookie Calvin Abueva to a nasal issue triggered by a hit courtesy of Air21's Rob Reyes.

Head coach Luigi Trillo and even team owner Wilfred Uytengsu have gone on record asking for parity in officiating-- believing that their guys are getting the shorter end of the stick. There's also something to be made of Abueva being the target of opposing teams' "sahod boys"whose primary role is to make the former King Stag lose his temper and blow the game for the Aces (not like they need any help with that given their current five-game slide).

Hostile: Alaska vs Rain or Shine

Ala-RoS has all the makings
of a WWE Title Fight

... is the word that best captures what fans wanted to see in yesterday's match pitting the streaking Alaska Aces and steady Rain or Shine Elastopainters. It was a glimpse of what the PBA was turning into: the team that embodies the last two years' physical, throwback, Pinoy game versus the other one that is exploring this "new" territory behind rookie Calvin "The Beast" Abueva.

But Beau Belga "pa-simples" aside, fireworks didn't erupt. Our prediction of "two flagrants and three technicals"didn't come into fruition. The game was tight with the Aces leading by no more than 6 points at the end of 3 quarters before the Elastopainters, true to form, came storming back behind ace gunner Jeffrei Chan (who we now understand was given the monicker "Negros Sniper"-- okay, we can work with that.)

Aces' breakthrough

Clutch Casio's been doing
this for a long time

Last night's 94-92 victory by the Alaska Aces over the dominant Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters was long overdue.

And it couldn't have happened at a much opportune moment; with the Texters carrying an unblemished record and the Aces not dropping an assignment since losing their first two assignments and then adding rookie Calvin Abueva to the mix. It was a shame that Quinito Henson or Mico Halili weren't around to call this one, since they're the PBA's best "story tellers" (madalas nga lang ma-carried away si The Dean, si Mico naman borderline corny pag hindi naawat) who could've probably dropped a "something's go to give in this early clash of the titans" etc.

Calvin Abueva's beastly debut

Masaya kung akilala da ka

Dondon Hontiveros had one of those vintage MBA Cebu Gems performances in the 4th quarter. Cyrus Baguio had the most efficient game we've seen of him EVER. JVee Casio was being his usual, steady self at PG-- not making great reads or finds, but not turning the ball either.

But make no mistake, it was one debuting Calvin "The Beast" Abueva who stole the show and brought the Alaska Aces back with his hustle and energy to salvage an 88-86 win over the confused Petron Blaze Boosters.

12 points on 5/17 shooting, 16 rebounds (10 defensive/ 6 offensive), 1 block, 1 assist, 4 fouls and 2 turnovers in 27 minutes.

Aces start the year awful

Alaska's franchis player
is a glorified role player at best

While the future still looks bright (any or all arguments against the Aces' should be put on hold until their number 2 overall pick, the San Sebastian Stags' Calvin Abueva, suits up), the Alaska Aces opened their Philippine Cup campaign being blown out by the San Mig Coffee Mixers, 103-83.

The team trailed from the start, failing to execute their sets and looking worse than Air21 did the whole last season. That's just how awful they appeared to be against a Mixers' team that features a hall of fame coach in Tim Cone and a crew of established and still in their prime veterans led by James Yap, PJ Simon and a vintage all-around performance by Yancy de Ocampo. Sophomore Mark Barroca was also huge in this one, running circles over SMART Gilas buddy and now Aces' "PG of the future" JVee Casio.

Mega-trade sends Tenorio to Ginebra, Casio to Alaska

From PBA-Online.net

Finally bringing an end to all the rumors that ran amok over on Twitterverse thanks to Snow Badua, five PBA teams took to the spotlight with one of the biggest trades in recent memory.

While point guards L.A. Tenorio formerly of Alaska and JVee Casio formerly of GlobalPort caught everyone’s attention because of their superstar status and National Team pedigree, this writer argues the teams that acquired them may not necessarily be the biggest winners of the deal (on-court basketball wise).

Alaska Aces: JVee Casio (Global Port), Dondon Hontiveros (Petron) and 2nd Round Pick (Ginebra)
At first we were all going nuts and throwing fits over Alaska’s decision to send arguably the hottest basketball commodity today in Tenorio over to a team that’s not exactly fond of loaning players to the National cause. It was as unfathomable as the Aces sending one time PBA MVP Kenneth Duremdes over to Santa Lucia back in 2001 for a guy who would later turn out to be that year’s 5th overall pick Brandon Cablay (who is good, but nowhere near the same stratosphere as Duremdes). But then they got JVee Casio from Global Port. Followed by Dondon Hontiveros from Petron. Two national players of different eras but are definitely serviceable starters.

Welcome to the PBA Global Port Batang Pier

The dream has finally turned into reality.

Champion sports aficionado and shipping mogul Mikee Romero has finally turned his boyhood dream into reality: earning the PBA Board of Governors' nod in acquiring the Powerade Tigers franchise thus joining Asia's pioneering basketball league of over thirty-five years.

What this means:

1. No more drama
Last season's magical, Cinderella story run to the Finals and superstar Gary David's "takeover" of the league was marred by rumors of the Tigers' demise. There were reports that the team was for sale and worse, on the verge of being disbanded with all of its players, coaches and staff left under the cold and lonely rain. Well, Romero's multi-million Peso acquisition assures us all of continuity in terms of the players-- since the core guys; David, JVee Casio, Rabah Al Hussaini and Sean Anthony are signed to long-term contracts while the reserves led by Rey Guevarra, Rommel Adducul, Rudy Lingganay and Jondan Salvador.

SMART Gilas 1: Revisited

What if?

Now that the season is over and we know where each of the concerned pieces stand, this writer can not help but picture what might have been had all the original, dreamt players taken part of the highly successful SMART Gilas program. Though there were about five or six players who chose to skip the national program and move on to the pros, let's single out three who could've improved our chances: Rabah Al Hussaini, Noy Baclao and Paul Lee.

Al Hussaini, at a beefy 6"5, would've been a joy to watch offensively for Gilas. A traditional post big who can knock down mid range jumpers, the former King Eagle would've commanded respect and helped open up the floor for naturalized center Marcus Douthit. Anyone who's ever played the game would tell you that having a big who can anchor the offense down low is always a plus, because it makes things easier for everyone. Guys can roam freely and choose their spots on the floor and makes the defenders extend outside if used correctly.

Tiu-day's the day

The PBA needs Chris Tiu

Apologies for the elementary-level title. Had second, third, fourth and even eight thoughts before letting it be. There's really no other way to say it so... If Chris Tiu, former captain of the SMART Gilas men's national baskteball team, Ateneo Blue Eagle, magazine coverboy, posterboy, TV host, barangay kagawad and entrepreneur, wants in to the PBA, then there's no other time in but now.

Most of his Gilas teammates have moved on to the pros and enjoyed much success (JVee Casio, Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz) and even carried their respective fanbases with them. Tiu, ever the patriot, opted to stick it out with the Gilas team believing he'll still be an integral part of it (read: play heavy minutes) regardless of coach, teammates and other unseen factors.

Problem was, once Coach Chot Reyes took over for the sacked Rajko Toroman, Tiu faced even stiffer competition by virtue of the PBA veterans that were all set to join in.

Sold! Mikee Romero buys Powerade franchise

Casio needs to be THE man

According to reports, champion sports figure Mikee Romero has officially bought the Powerade Tigers' from Coca Cola through his company, Sultan 900. This finally rids us all of the unwanted drama that marred what was a beautiful and eye-opening season for the Tigers, who could've been built into a title contender had it stuck to its Philippine Cup core.

With star Gary David leading the pack, the Tigers looked every inch like a title team with guys like Doug Kramer, Sean Anthony, Rommel Adducul, Alex Crisano and rookies JVee Casio and Marcio Lassiter. All the team really needed back then was more time to jell and who knows just how far they could've gone had Lassiter not been pressured with all the trade rumors come 2nd conference before finally being dealt to Petron in the 3rd and Kramer sent to Barako Bull Energy.

37th PBA Leo Awards: And the winners are...

MVP! MVP! MVP!

First off, did we call it or what? Okay, so we missed the most important one because we took the outside factors a little too seriously-- forgetting that Kris Aquino et. al no longer cares for who wins the award *cough, cough, wink wink*.

All Defensive Team
PG Ryan Reyes, SG Jireh Ibanes, SF Arwind Santos, PF Marc Pingris, C Doug Kramer
Okay, didn't really see the Ibanes pick not because our boy from UP isn't a good one-on-one defender (he is, just under-rated and little played) but because you don't really see darkhorses pop up out of nowhere in these sort of awards nights. Well deserved for everyone.

KKS' Leo Picks

As the 37th season of the PBA comes to an end (with all due respect to the teams playing in the PBA GovCup Finals of course), it marks the one day wherein the creme de la creme are recognized and appreciated for their efforts on (and off) the basketball court.


While these guys will always say the right things and push for multiple finals appearances and championships, there's always that human desire to be called the best. To be adorned and praised. That's what the PBA Leo Awards are for, and this writer would like to throw his kwek-kwek's worth of predictions/ picks for the top individual awards.


Let's start things off with the Top 5 defensive guys, followed by the five best players in their respective positions (this season) before ending it with the MVP winner.