Thoughts on Ivan the Terrible

Photo credit to PBA.Inquirer.net

“The last straw that broke the camel’s back.”

That is all we can say about the polarizing PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa’s decision to fine Tropang TNT import Ivan Johnson Php 250,000 and ban him from the league, for life.

Let us try to figure this one out bit by bit. Johnson was ejected in the first half of yesterday’s match versus sister team Meralco, whose resident enforcers were probably given the greenlight to get chippy with him (Kelly Nabong and Bryan Faundo were involved, go figure) based on his history of being temperamental. He was ejected, and somehow Narvasa got in his way as he exited the premises so he decided to hurl a few expletives at the league commissioner.

Trade Rumors

Nice Photoshop skills. But trade still in limbo
(Photo credits to the owner)

While we await the final decision/ approval of the PBA Commissioner's Office, let's take a seat and digest the possible transactions that have already seen the light of Internet day (which, in reality, sounds more like gossip than news but hey, whatever sells right?).

First up is the blockbuster deal that would involve sister teams Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and San Miguel, and conduit Barako Bull Energy Cola. In this trade, Ginebra will get the services of Marcio Lassiter, San Miguel gets JC Intal and Barako lands Mac Baracael.

Sure, it involves sister and farm teams but when was the last time we had a trade of almost equal value in the PBA?

PBA 2012 Draft: The Do-Over

What if teams were able to make a do-over?
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

And so we have come to the (near) end of another great professional basketball season for Philippine hoops: the country (behind some of its best, pro-players) was able to re-establish itself as a contender in the region, all the concerned basketball parties are in (or at the very least, seem to be) in unison and new names have come out of the collegiate and amateur ranks that will carry the winning tradition and proud Filipino fighting heart for the next decade or so.

Here we rank the 2012 PBA Draftees (1st round plus some promising names) based on how well they have performed this season (and going forward) vis-a-vis the team that should've/ could've picked them if they were able to go back in time. 

1 Petron - Calvin Abueva 

51 g 26.41 m 12.25 p 9.37 r 1.82 a 

The numbers, the minutes, the intensity-- it speaks for itself. At a modest 6"1 1/2 we dare you to name us anyone of the same height the last five years who can put up the same numbers AND change the tempo/ mood/ feel of the game simply by checking in OFF THE BENCH. As loaded as Petron is, you just cannot argue with talent and heart. You don't pass up on a guy like this, you make room for him and trade away the others to fill in whatever hole you have. Yeah. The Beast is here to stay, ROY-MVP or not.

2012 PBA Draft pick order: 2nd, Alaska

Stay the course

Bigote. Slick back pomade hair.
Sunglasses. Neon green shirt.
#THATSG.
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

With a respectable 4-5 win-loss slate, the Global Port Batang Pier have found themselves in the PBA Governor's Cup Playoffs hunt thanks to a potent four-man scoring machine and the "old school" hand of head coach Junel Baculi.

They found a solid import in Markeith Cummings to go with their awesome foursome of Sol Mercado, Gary David, Willie Miller and Jay Washington. They have some rough and tough ninjas in youngsters Marvin Hayes and Kelly Nabong, plus an assortment of role players that can contribute when given enough daylight (Belencion, Lingganay).  Honestly, when owner Mikee Romero envisioned bringing his success in the amateurs to the pros, we all thought that it would take at least two years for them to do so (by languishing early and rebuilding via the PBA draft like most cellar-dwelling, "new" franchises do).

Pinoy Resbak State of Mind

Love the passion, but stick to basketball.
(Photo courtesy of PBA InterAKTV)

So there you are, standing at one end of the basketball court in a game that's already been decided if everything goes the way it's been going early. You see your hard-working import, being pulled to the ground by a no-name upstart who rubs it in by using all the little dirty tricks in the book to get leverage and stand over your fallen comrade.

You see one of your guys rush in to make the save. You then see the opposing team's snot-nosed punk, a guy who reminds you of yourself, and instinctively know that shit's about to go down.

Then you see red.

...

It's been a tough game so far, your team's down big early and the other team's not being shy to let you know about it. They're the better team. They're one of the three "mother" teams in the corporate umbrella. Your team is a highlight reel joke at best. Dazzling plays, electrifying aerial acrobatics and sweet shooting. But no substance. No fight. What? No fight? On a team that you're playing in? F that.