Un-beastly

Who's afraid of the big bad wolf?
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

When was the last time you saw Calvin Abueva play like Calvin Abueva?

We've seen flashes here and there, but where's the reigning PBA Rookie of the Year? Where is the energy guy the first year in San Sebastian? Or the triple-double monster the last year? Who's this 6"1 guy who looks like Abueva, plays a bit like Abueva, but doesn't have the same effect on the game like Abueva?

In 51 games last season, Abueva averaged somewhere around 26 minutes a game, with 12 points and 9 rebounds plus a bunch of intangibles-- from setting low post screens, playing the pay-war game and just making plays for his team en route to the ROY plum. This year, in 27 games, his minutes are down by about 6 a game with his numbers somewhere around 8 points and 7 rebounds.

But no one is afraid of the man they call "The Beast" anymore.

Pushing through plateaus

Casio needs to take the big leap
while Abueva struggles
(photo courtesy of Sports5)

Don't blame Calvin Abueva for the Alaska Aces' mildly surprising 4 wins, 9 losses slate in the on-going PBA Philippine Cup.

There's plenty of that to go around. Despite the impressive numbers shared by starters Sonny Thoss (16 points, 9 rebounds), JVee Casio (14, 3 and 3 assists), Cyrus Baguio (13, 3, 3), Gabby Espinas (11, 9) and Abueva (10, 8), the Aces are struggling more because they've become rather bland. Yes, the names on the roster are almost the same to when they punked their way into a PBA Commissioner's Cup title last season, but the fire and energy just isn't.

And while Abueva continues to find that balance between a flopper and token energy guy, the Aces need to come up with surprises to battle the strengthened/ overhauled PBA teams. Though we have nothing but love for the blue-chip recruits in ASEAN Basketball League Most Valuable Player Leo Avenido, Ryan Buenafe and Ping Exciminiano, it appears as though the three have yet to really learn the Aces' offensive sets as proven by the little amount of minutes they get on the floor (aging small forward Tony de la Cruz logs close to 19 minutes a game). 

Demoted

Basics din muna pag may time
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Forget what everyone around you is saying, being sent to the PBA D-League is a "clear as a warm glass of morning piss" demotion.

There's just no other way to say it: PBA Air21 Express backup point guard Simon Atkins, picked 21st overall in the 2012 PBA Draft, has been demoted by his mother team and will be suiting up for their DLeague affiliate, Arellano University. Now, if you are an AU alumni or fan, don't expect this to be manna from heaven.

The Beast: Chasing History

Can The Beast mirror The Tower of Power?
(Photo courtesy of PBA InterAKTV)

Ever found yourself in a race against time? Trying desperately to catch up to someone or something you love or hold dear, finding yourself now at only an arm's length-- may be less. The dream is almost at hand, literally.

The Alaska Aces' mercurial rookie power forward Calvin "The Beast" Abueva, in just two PBA conferences (41 played games to date), has already proven himself worthy of his collegiate moniker. He has already hushed even the harshest of critics. All his haters are now busy just ignoring his antics, or simply waiting for the next epic "flop" that they can blow up over social media.

They no longer question his game. His mental toughness. His desire to be the best. They question the flops, but they no longer question Abueva.

The Dream Match to end it all

Dream Match III: if only to see
Kiefer vs Mac/Yeo/Cortez

There you have it.

The PBA Green Archers were able to repeat versus rivals PBA Blue Eagles in this afternoon's ho-hum battle at the SM MoA Arena dubbed "Dream Match II: The Revenge." Well, if the script were to be followed, the Eagles were supposed to win this one to force a nail-biter of a third and deciding match (ala celebrated promoter Don King's brand of boxing).

But the Archers wouldn't have any of it. Mac Cardona, free from the burden of having to play a passive role with his mother team Meralco's three-ball happy Dribble Drive Offense, played like he had a score to settle with everyone from the Eagles' side of things. He dropped in threes, made his patented tear drop hook shots and even threw in some mean mug swag "anong height mo" theatrics here and there for good measure.

So should a third match be played, with the Archers now up 2-0 in this mini cash cow of a side event by the PBA? Yes. But IF and WHEN current amateur superstar known to most as "The Phenom" Keifer Ravena turns pro (or is eligible to do so).

PBA Commish Cup Finals: Wala pa ring tatalo sa Alaska

Young Blood Reachin'

It was time.

The Alaska Aces are the 2013 PBA Commissioner's Cup champions thanks to a dominant 3-0 sweep of the injury-riddled Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. They did it through team work. They did it through hard work and perseverance. They did it together.

Credit goes to Ginebra and head coach Alfrancis Chua for their magical run to the Commish Cup Finals after a woeful 7th seed finish at the end of the eliminations. They lost reigning PBA Most Valuable Player Mark Caguioa to a knee injury, had to change import early and fought through all the chemistry woes that have hounded them early this season.

Newly-minted Best Player of the Conference L.A. Tenorio spearheaded Ginebra's attack the whole way. Ginebra responded to their "substitute" leader and gamely fought toe-to-toe with the Aces' youth and vigour. Ginebra was determined to not go out without a fight. They were putting it all out there, they were the more physical team. They were loose and carefree on the court. For the first three quarters, Ginebra played like Ginebra.

Alaska Aces: The Mantle of the Bat

Luigi Trillo: Rightful Successor

In the Alaska Aces' storied franchise history, Tim Cone would be its Bruce Wayne a.k.a. The Batman. Though he has severed all ties and moved on with his coaching career, he will always be the man that brought the team to prominence. The 13 titles that he won for the Aces in the course of over 20 years will remain untouched. No matter how they broke-up, it is what it is.

But just like in the comic book world, there are always successors-- both unworthy and worthy. Dick Grayson, Jason Tood and Tim Drake. All three wore the bright colored Robin costume at one point or another. In reference, Grayson would be Joel Banal. He has all the tools to succeed Cone, but he was his own man. He had his own style, and last year it showed that it just wasn't a good fit.

PBA Commish Cup Finals: Didn't you get the memo?

The Boss' D won it for the Aces in Game 1

Ladies and gentlemen, presenting the PBA Commissioner's Cup Best-of-Five Finals between the first seed Alaska Aces and the seventh seed Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

Why we opted to open this entry with that statement should be a no brainer for those of you who were able to witness the Wednesday night massacre of a hapless Ginebra side. Did they celebrate too early as  one of our favorite PBA legends-turned-TV's most Povedan-sounding analyst Jojo Lastimosa hint during their semifinals conquest of the badly-depleted Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters?

It sure seemed like it.

The Beast for PBA Commish Cup BPC

No stopping the Beast

The PBA Commissioner's Cup was supposed to be the one conference that would break the spirit of Alaska Aces' heralded rookie Calvin Abueva. It's where gargantuan imports would reign supreme, and Abueva's rookie rivals, top overall pick 6"10 Junemar Fajardo and the Meralco Bolts' 6"5 Cliff Hodge would be able to prove their worth.

Why wouldn't it be? Abueva after all is a hustling, rebounding, do-it-all and win-at-all-costs SIX FOOT ONE AND A HALF tall forward. He was supposed to hide in the shadows behind bigger teammates Sonny Thoss (who would naturally slide down to the power forward spot to make room for 6"9 import Rob Dozier at the center position) and even bossom buddy Gabby Espinas.

But how did the rookie touted as "The Beast" respond?

PBA Commish Cup Finals: Alaska vs Ginebra

Author's note: Before we get to the PBA Finals preview, let's just make one thing clear: we are bloggers. We aren't paid to do this, so it doesn't matter if we end up being wrong with our "Fearless Forecasts." We're basing our predictions on who we feel and think will win based on what we've seen during games. You can call out all the sports commentators that you idolise, and they'll hand you a politically correct "50-50." This blog is all for fun, we'd love to hear from you so share away. We don't mind you calling us "haters" or what not, as long as it's all in good, Pinoy basketball fun. Okay? 

Kung ayaw niyo talaga, e di gumawa kayo ng blog.

PG JVee Casio/RJ Jazul vs LA Tenorio

Thoss vs Tenorio

The two guys who were indirectly traded for one another will finally get to square off on the biggest stage of them all. On one hand you have the heir apparent to the PBA point guard throne, the other you have a guy who jumped from being one of the elite scorers in the amateurs to crashing the party of the would be "next in line" floor generals. If Casio approaches this series with his guns holstered, it's going to get ugly fast. Tenorio is the better defender and craftier scorer who will get the calls. If Casio isn't on the floor for the Aces, they'll have a lot of trouble getting into their sets (a.k.a. Calvin Abueva will run amock which could either be good or bad). Our advice to Jazul? Keep shooting and keep Tenorio on his toes. Tire the sumb*tch out.
Adv. Ginebra

Cool, clutch Casio

Sinong nagsabing SHOOTER lang ako?

Five years ago if you were to tell us that JVee Casio would be playing on a title contender in the PBA as one of its leading men, we'd sign off on it in a heartbeat.

But if you were to add that he'd be playing point guard... Maybe not so much.

See, Joseph Evans Casio has a God given gift: to break the hearts of many opponents and their fans with heart-breaking triples. To shoot his team back into games and on to victories be it blowouts or buzzer beaters. Casio will score, he is a scorer by trade. To say otherwise would be blasphemous. He is a caricature of Ren Ren Ritualo straight out of a Washington Young "Pupung" comic strip.

PBA Commish Cup Semis: The Exorcism of Luigi Trillo

The MAN for the job.

There was a point in this series wherein it seemed that no matter how far the Alaska Aces have gone under young head coach Luigi Trillo, that they would never rid themselves of the ghost of Tim Cone. It's bad enough that they haven't beaten Cone until this series, but also because it was starting to make every single reason that Cone et al came up with seem true.

You can't win big in the PBA without stars. You can't win big in the PBA without money. You. Just. Can't. Win.

But after four grueling, intense and highly entertaining games, the Aces have not only triumphed over Cone and the depleted San Mig Coffee Mixers, they have managed to exorcise their own demons and proven themselves worthy of their now growing Gatas Republik's adoration.

PBA Commish Cup Semis: No fluke as Aces repeat

The Beast: All heart, all hustle

Just when you thought that the on-going (and highly/somewhat surprisingly entertaining) semifinals saga between the Alaska Aces and San Mig Coffee Mixers couldn't get any more dramatic, last night happened.

In front of over 23,000 strong, the Aces and Mixers put on a defensive clinic with the latter pretty much in control early in the game. The Mixers were bent on distancing themselves from the Aces, showing a level of basketball that only a true Hall of Famer coach like Tim Cone could draw up. Import Denzel Bowles, though still far from his 2012 form, was putting in work, Marc Pingris threw out all the distractions of "dirty play" aside and was a monster and Mark Barroca supplied the firepower missing from quarterfinals breakout star, backup Alex Mallari.

With resident superstars PJ Simon and 2x PBA MVP James Yap nursing injuries and going through shooting slumps, the Mixers still found ways to get it done thanks to their suffocating half court defense that left the Aces reeling and looking a lot like they did back when Joel Banal was at the helm (seems like a lifetime ago doesn't it?).

Untamed

Running on primal instincts

There is a universal truth when it comes to the beings that roam this very world that we find ourselves fortunate enough to be part of. That no matter the education, the training or coaching, when things become increasingly challenging, nay, competitive, that every one, be it man, woman or beast, reverts to doing what they know instinctively. They no longer think, they just act in the manner that comes natural to them.

And for the Alaska Aces' 6"1 1/2 rookie Calvin Abueva, that means playing with fire, getting into the head of his opponents and occasionally, flopping to sell the contact and get the calls from the referees. There are no Xs and Os at times, Abueva leaves that up to his teammates. He runs the floor, goes hard and does whatever he pleases when he is given the basketball. It's the primal instinct to compete, to win.

PBA Commish Cup semis: Aces score 1st win over Cone

Dozier's making Bowles look old

After nine failed attempts over the course of a season and a half, Luigi Trillo and the Alaska Aces were finally able to beat former coach Tim Cone and the San Mig Coffee Mixers with a convincing 86-67 victory at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Just when it seemed that beating the Mixers was a gargantuan task that the Aces would never be able to accomplish, the Red and Black came out with a different mindset and game plan altogether: attack the rim. In Game 1, the Aces appeared to be at ease with trading jumpshots with the Mixers as they were playing exceptional defense on each other. Tonight, despite another strong effort on the defensive end by the Mixers early in the first, the Aces were just relentless.

Can the Aces really win over the Mixers?

Who's yo daddy?

Another San Mig Coffee Mixers game for the Alaska Aces, another painful loss that appears to know no end.

What is it with these two teams-- the way they cancel each other out and pretty much play at an equal footing not 'til the closing moments where the Mixers' veteran leadership and overall court savvy comes in to play? The victory was there for the taking for the hard-fighting Aces. They took every jab, straight and hook from the mighty Mixers and were unnerved by it all.

But when it mattered most, the Mixers stuck to who they were under coach Tim Cone, while the Aces faltered-- revealing their own coach's, Luigi Trillo's, lack of composure at the end. Why did Trillo opt to sit star guard Cyrus Baguio for majority of the 4th quarter when they needed some scoring to possibly break away?

PBA Commish Cup semis: Alaska vs San Mig Coffee

P*tangina banggaan to!

Trust that you've read our "emo" piece on the Alaska Aces and the San Mig Coffee Mixers going into their PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinals match-up. Now, we're breaking down the match-ups and as always, going out on a limb to test our credibility (what?) and pick a winner.

PG JVee Casio/ RJ Jazul vs  Mark Barroca/ Joe DeVance
We've seen JDV being given the freedom by Mixers coach Tim Cone to run the point as an out-of-this-country sized point guard lately, and we are banking on even more ball-time for JDV. Casio and Jazul, though great offensively, are not as established defensively as Meralco's Chris Ross which allows JDV to dribble whenever and wherever he wants. This is going to be a problem for the Aces because JDV will undoubtedly set up shop down low and pretty much punish his pint-sized counterparts. If you're holding out for a Casio vs Barroca showdown, they'll cancel each other out. And as far as we've known Cone, he's not the type who's content with guys canceling one another. He wants the advantage-- and his name is JDV.
Adv. Mixers

Case of the Ex

Cone's superstars take on Aces' hustlers

Remember that ex-girlfriend/boyfriend of yours back in the day who you thought was the one you'd end up marrying someday? The one you'd spend crazy times with, experiment on (we'll leave this up to your imagination) and sincerely, at the bottom of your heart, feel will be the one who'd always be there for you as you would for them?

"The one that got away."

Well, we doubt that San Mig Coffee Mixers head coach Tim Cone feels the same for his former team of so many years, the Alaska Aces-- but there's undeniable history and a touch of bitterness there. Though they "broke up" in good terms and both parties have nothing but commendations, praises and the like for one another, the fact of the matter is that Cone left the Aces because he felt like they couldn't win anymore. They were (obviously) no match for the "richer" teams that would just treat independent ones as "farm teams," plucking superstars left and right even if they're offered the same amount of money (on paper anyway)

Into the PBA Commish Cup Playoffs (part 1)

God Mode?
Don't they know I invented "COOL?"

Alaska Aces (1) vs Air21 Express (8)
Make no mistake about it, no matter how promising the players on the court are this match-up will be decided on the coaching end. It's going to be the Aces' upstart Luigi Trillo versus tried-and-tested collegiate coach Franz Pumaren for Air21. At first glance, you're already looking at a highly entertaining series with the following match-ups:

PG JVee Casio vs Mike Cortez
It's going to be the guy that was embraced and loved by the Green-and-White going up against the one that was controversially disowned/disgraced/disavowed (before time healed all the old wounds). Both guys are coming off injury concerns, but of the two, it's going to be Cortez who will prove to be more invaluable to his team rather than Casio. Though Casio is continuing to learn and excel as a PBA-level point guard, he has the luxury of having RJ Jazul and even rookie Raffy Reyes to spell him and steer the Aces' offense. Cortez on the other hand, will have no reprieve in this one and is the one true catalyst should Air21 ever hope of stealing a game. Casio needs to look for his shots to keep Cortez honest, while the latter needs to use his height and heft to the hilt and keep on attacking the rim like the Cool Cat of old.

Adv. Air21

Alaska breaks tie with Rain or Shine

Should the two teams meet in the Finals,
the theme should be
LET THE BODIES HIT THE FLOOR

The legend of the Cebuano Hotshot lives on.

Sinking seven of 10 three point attempts, Alaska Aces' veteran leader Dondon Hontiveros carried the fight when all seemed lost after his team fell by as much as 22 points versus the Rain or Shine Elastopainters.

Prior to the 4th quarter and overtime barrage, the Aces appeared to be out of sync and couldn't make any of their attempts. The Elastopainters on the other hand, were firing from all cylinders and making the most of mismatches on the floor starting with 7"3 import Bruno Sundov, big guard Paul Lee and the usual bench mob suspects (just pick your poison from game to game, tonight it was a little of TY Tang, Jireh Ybanes and Jervy Cruz).

Then midway of the third happened.