First and foremost, MABUHAY ANG PILIPINAS!
What. A. Game.
After trailing by as much as 15 points in the 1st quarter and a half, Gilas made a game off their debut against one of Europe's finest in Croatia thanks to the efforts of naturalised centre Andray Blatche and the (surprisingly) 4th point guard in the rotation, captain Jimmy Alapag. True enough, Gilas found itself flat-footed early, unable to make shots versus the taller Croatians and pretty much jittery on the floor. Blatche was left to go isolation, much like he did the entire pre-FIBA tune-up campaign for Gilas, which wasn't bad since he was the only guy who could get buckets for us, but wasn't good either because it was messing up our spacing and dribble drive game plan.
If anything, this game can be summed up as Croatia probably taking us for granted early, and the proud men of Gilas just playing with all heart and effort. We caught them off-guard, being one of the virtual unknowns in the tournament and were fortunate enough to have been able to make shots in the end to force over time and salvage a respectable 81-78 loss.
Here's an amateur's take on the positives and negatives that we can learn from the game against Croatia:
Positive:
- Andray Blatche is versatile. He's clearly a walking mismatch at 6"11, with the hybrid forwards of Croatia unable to keep in step owing to Blatche's speed and ball handling skills (which is quite exceptional really and something we never saw in the NBA). Though Blatche is not a force in the paint, he makes up for his big man shortcomings by playing like a little man on the court. He helps spread the floor for our shooters, can drive to the hoop when he wants and has no problems whatsoever in taking (and making treys). Truth be told, Blatche helps our cause in making the game faster-- which gives us more attempts down the floor.
Showing posts with label Marc Pingris. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marc Pingris. Show all posts
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Laban Pilipinas
Mamaya lamang ay magsisimula na ang pinakamalaking kampanya ng ating Pilipinas men's basketball team sa 2014 FIBA World Cup. Bagamat tanggap na ng sambayanan na halos saling pusa lang tayo sa torneyo at makikigulo lang sa unang bahagi ng kompetisyon, dapat natin tandaan na sa basketball, walang imposible. Ung mga paborito at dehado, minsan, nagkakabaligtaran ng nilalarong posisyon. Minsan, ung dehado, nakakanakaw. Nakakabulag. Sa basketball, ang sarap mangarap. Ang sakit matalo, pero ang sarap mangarap.
Jimmy Alapag. LA Tenorio. Paul Lee. Jayson Castro. Gary David. Jeffrei Chan. Gabe Norwood. Marc Pingris. Ranidel de Ocampo. Japeth Aguilar. Junemar Fajardo. Andray Blatche. Chot Reyes.
Larry Fonacier, Marcus Douthit at ang mga iba pang naging bahagi ng kampanyang ito.
Jimmy Alapag. LA Tenorio. Paul Lee. Jayson Castro. Gary David. Jeffrei Chan. Gabe Norwood. Marc Pingris. Ranidel de Ocampo. Japeth Aguilar. Junemar Fajardo. Andray Blatche. Chot Reyes.
Larry Fonacier, Marcus Douthit at ang mga iba pang naging bahagi ng kampanyang ito.
Monday, July 7, 2014
Thoughts on the PBA Leo Awards 2014
The first of many. Ladies and gentlemen, your undisputed PBA MVP |
After a year (or two, or three) of head scratching awardees that left a lot of room for debate, the Philippine Basketball Association finally got it right (in terms of current public perception anyway) with this year’s Leo Awardees.
Here, we take a look at the winners and some names that were left off contention if only to reward or acknowledge that certain player/s efforts. In case people forget, this season had that “rushed” feeling in terms of games being played on a daily basis, conferences being tweaked and shortened all for the FIBA cause.
Now, before you argue that the players are generously paid for the services they render, please be mindful that they are human beings who push their bodies to a level that the everyday Twitter hater could only dream of. That being said, nothing beats a full day’s rest (or more) so we pretty much owe it to the guy to thank them even if it’s only by way of this small market blog.
Sportsmanship Award: Willie MillerFormer two-time PBA Most Valuable Player Willie Miller is what Filipino basketball is all about: competitive and bruising yet stylish and fun. While his body no longer allows him to post the same numbers that has helped him become “The Thriller,” it’s refreshing to know that he still plays the game with gusto and joy and passing it to the next generation.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
The Cinderella Man
Air21's Cinderella Man (Photo courtesy of Sports5) |
More so if you were to tell us that it would be journeyman Sean Anthony, leading the Express' to glory. Then we'd probably not give you the time of day. At all.
Nothing against the career "8 points, 5 rebounds in 23 minutes" averaging, energetic small/power forward, but he has always been more of what former PBA player and UAAP Most Valuable Player Rich Alvarez should've been had he opted to get stronger for the pros and maybe address some facets of his game.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Gilas Pilipinas: A cut above the rest
While being mindful of showing their cards (running any FIBA World Cup-meant offensive and defensive sets), Gilas Pilipinas showed everyone watching the recently concluded 2014 PBA All Star Game why this is the ensemble that's Spain-bound later this year.
Unlike last year's meet, Gilas Pilipinas took care of the PBA All Star selection early and never looked back. Resident sniper Jeffrei Chan was at his sharpest, while Marcus Douthit made some key defensive stops to make sure that the message was sent right away.
Gilas Pilipinas isn't clowning around this time.
Unlike last year's meet, Gilas Pilipinas took care of the PBA All Star selection early and never looked back. Resident sniper Jeffrei Chan was at his sharpest, while Marcus Douthit made some key defensive stops to make sure that the message was sent right away.
Gilas Pilipinas isn't clowning around this time.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
2014 Philippine Cup Finals Reaction
Now it can be told.
This writer purposely and consciously refrained from updating this blog simply because we chose to be more fan than analyst. Though we provided some with our Finals Preview over at SolarSportsDesk.Ph, nothing beats just taking a step back and appreciating the beauty of the game-- specially when your team (Rain or Shine Elastopainters) is playing the PBA's "glamour boys" (San Mig Coffee Mixers).
It's good versus evil. The handsome hardcourt heartthrobs doing battle against the gillage (gilid of the village) goons The prince pitted against the pauper.
Going into the Finals, we weren't as sold on our chances as some other fans were. They were elated because they felt the Elastopainters had a legit shot at their head coach's, Yeng Guiao's, first-ever All Filipino championship after dominating the standings. We weren't sold because opposite Guiao is head coach Tim Cone and his quest to win "number 16."
This writer purposely and consciously refrained from updating this blog simply because we chose to be more fan than analyst. Though we provided some with our Finals Preview over at SolarSportsDesk.Ph, nothing beats just taking a step back and appreciating the beauty of the game-- specially when your team (Rain or Shine Elastopainters) is playing the PBA's "glamour boys" (San Mig Coffee Mixers).
It's good versus evil. The handsome hardcourt heartthrobs doing battle against the gillage (gilid of the village) goons The prince pitted against the pauper.
Going into the Finals, we weren't as sold on our chances as some other fans were. They were elated because they felt the Elastopainters had a legit shot at their head coach's, Yeng Guiao's, first-ever All Filipino championship after dominating the standings. We weren't sold because opposite Guiao is head coach Tim Cone and his quest to win "number 16."
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Scripted
Maybe we should all just stop with the conspiracy theories and just enjoy the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals as non-fans of both Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and San Mig Coffee Mixers.
It is a disservice after all, to the hard-working men who wake up in the morning, endure several exhausting routines and drills, and get a cheap shot in the rib or an elbow right on the kisser by day’s end. These are our modern day action stars, nay, heroes. They fight for the names printed on their jerseys, and the adoring masses who take an hour or two of their precious time to cheer them on.
So to the PBA players, fans and our readers, to you we sincerely apologize with all the “scripted” semantics.
It is a disservice after all, to the hard-working men who wake up in the morning, endure several exhausting routines and drills, and get a cheap shot in the rib or an elbow right on the kisser by day’s end. These are our modern day action stars, nay, heroes. They fight for the names printed on their jerseys, and the adoring masses who take an hour or two of their precious time to cheer them on.
So to the PBA players, fans and our readers, to you we sincerely apologize with all the “scripted” semantics.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Gun for hire: Canaleta to Talk 'n' Text
KG is taking his talents to TNT (Photo courtesy of Sports5) |
The Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters, in an effort to ensure that they are armed to the teeth (if they aren't already) going into their PBA Philippine Cup Quarterfinals Best-of-Three with the San Mig Coffee Mixers, have recently acquired the services of Air21 Express' leading scorer Nino Canaleta. The 6"6, 185 lbs. sharpshooter averaged a team-best 16 points to go with 6 rebounds while not necessarily being the Express' 1st option on offense.
While logic dictates that Canaleta will struggle with the Texters being that he is the "new kid in town," we don't see him having a hard time adjusting to his teammates who, for the last few championship years, are the PBA embodiment of "playing for each other." The Texters thrive in the team concept as evidenced by the success that they've garnered and also with their dribble-drive motion offense (although head coach Norman Black has successfully added some new/old halfcourt elements here and there the last year or so).
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Habla Espanol Gilas Pilipinas?
The dream continues for an archipelago of 7,107 islands lying in the South East of Asia. After salvaging the Silver medal in last year's FIBA Asia Worlds-qualifying tournament, the Philippines -- bannered by a 12-man roster aptly called "Gilas Pilipinas" sets its sights on the FIBA Worlds to be held this 2014 in Spain.
But just how far can we dream, really?
But just how far can we dream, really?
Monday, December 30, 2013
Out of sync
Is the playing-injured James Yap hurting/helping his team? (Photo courtesy of Sports5) |
How else can you explain the Mixers' paltry three wins in ten games predicament despite having a souped-up roster?
Granted, the Mixers were bit by the injury bug with stars Joe DeVance, PJ Simon, Marc Pingris and 2x former PBA Most Valuable Player James Yap all sitting out games early in the conference. But ten games in, with the stars all back, and still a losing record?
Something's amiss.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
In a funk
"Clank!" For the struggling 2x PBA MVP (Photo courtesy of Sports5) |
Blame it on off-court drama or nagging injuries, but the honest and brutal truth of it all is that two time PBA Most Valuable Player James Carlos Yap, the "face of the PBA" and San Mig Coffee's on-court leader, is struggling. Three games into the new 2013-2014 season and we're still being (mis)treated to the same old sub-standard shooting performance unexpected from a player of Yap's caliber.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
PBA GovCup Finals: Mixers' Reign
You reach, I teach (Photo courtesy of Sports5) |
Hats off to both teams for putting one hell of a show. Though the series was unconvincingly dragged to its limits with some blowout exchanges here and there early, Game 7 showed just how evenly matched both teams are with no team enjoying a clear advantage going into the last 12 minutes.
The Boosters were once again led by prolific import Elijah Millsap and hard working rookie Junemar Fajardo but failed to get the support that we cited in our earlier post. Either by design or something else, the Boosters kept milking Fajardo and Millsap while forgetting to involve their other, potent players from the wings such as Marcio Lassiter, Ronald Tubid, Chris Lutz and Alex Cabagnot. PBA Most Valuable Player Arwind Santos was also left looking like an over rated role player (the entire series actually) who couldn't get into any sort of rhythm on both ends of the court.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
PBA GovCup Finals: Game 7
Mukhang nagkakasawaan na tong dalawa (Photo courtesy of Sports5) |
First seed Petron Blaze Boosters versus the second seed San Mig Coffee Mixers for the right to be called the 2013 PBA Governor's Cup champions.
There are no darkhorses here.
There are no darkhorses here.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
PBA GovCup Finals: Petron deals first blow
If Game 1 of the PBA Governor's Cup Finals is a preview of things to come, then we're going with Petron Blaze's Alex Cabagnot and Marcio Lassiter when they said that they'd prefer a sweep of San Mig Coffee.
Riding on the hot hands of Chris Lutz late (12 points) and the superb triple double effort of import Elijah Millsap (35 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists), Petron Blaze had control of the game save for a mini San Mig Coffee run in the 3rd canto. The disparity in personel became quite obvious early when Petron Blaze's 6"10 rookie Junemar Fajardo was pretty much having his way inside versus 6"5 counterpart Marc Pingris.
San Mig Coffee tried to address the Fajardo conundrum by fielding in little-used 6"9 big man Yancy de Ocampo, but he proved a little too skinny. Also, instead of pulling Fajardo out of the paint by staying by the high post to three point line area where he is more effective, de Ocampo went with his pride and opted to challenge the youngster mano-a-mano (in which he failed rather miserably).
Lutz and Lassiter proved to be a handful for San Mig Coffee (Photo courtesy of Sports5) |
San Mig Coffee tried to address the Fajardo conundrum by fielding in little-used 6"9 big man Yancy de Ocampo, but he proved a little too skinny. Also, instead of pulling Fajardo out of the paint by staying by the high post to three point line area where he is more effective, de Ocampo went with his pride and opted to challenge the youngster mano-a-mano (in which he failed rather miserably).
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
PBA GovCup Finals: Family Feud
Like most family feuds, it's going to be ugly (Photo courtesy of Sports5) |
Did you know that the (established) San Miguel Corporation PBA franchises: Petron Blaze, San Mig Coffee and Barangay Ginebra have a grand total of 36 PBA championships among them? Petron Blaze is lording it over with an astonishing 19 titles while the little brothers—SMC and Ginebra are trying to create separation from the other with 9 and 8, respectively.
With Petron Blaze and San Mig Coffee being armed to the teeth (both possess arguably the most star-studded and star-heavy eight-man rotation in the whole PBA), it’s going to be mighty interesting how the series turns out. We explore the match-ups and who has the edge overall:
PG Alex Cabagnot/ Chico Lanete vs Alex Mallari/ Mark Barroca
It’s going to be Cabagnot’s heady play and clutch shooting taking on the ultra aggressive Mallari and the cerebral and efficient Barroca. Quite frankly, we’re not loving the match-up for Cabagnot since he’ll be asked to chase either of SMC’s guards against a bunch of brush and flare screens. Don’t be surprised if the Fil-Hawaiian point guard lands in foul trouble early or if we see Denok Miranda make some early appearances just to give Petron a different look.
Adv SMC
Monday, October 7, 2013
PBA GovCup Finals: San Mig Coffee aching for redemption
Ilang panalo na lang at mahahagkan ng muli ni Barroca si Erika Padilla (Photo courtesy of Sports5) |
The San Mig Coffee Mixers are back in the PBA Governor’s Cup Finals after disposing of a gutsy Meralco Bolts squad in their Best-of-Five affair, going 3-1.
This time around, the Mixers were led by do-it-all import Marqus Blakely, a re-calibrated 2x PBA MVP James Yap, Joe DeVance, steady Mark Barroca and rookie Alex Mallari. Those five did enough for the team that the sub par performances of usually dependable stat-sheet stuffing stalwarts PJ Simon and Marc Pingris.
What’s next for the Mixers? Well, if they can have it their way, a Governor’s Cup championship trophy at season’s end.
Monday, September 30, 2013
PBA GovCup Semis: San Mig Coffee vs Meralco
With Maliksi out, PJ Simon's got buckets on mind (Photo courtesy of Sports5) |
PG: Mark Barroca/ Alex Mallari vs Mike Cortez/ Chris Ross/ Chris Timberlake
In a nutshell, here's a token summary of how point guards are supposed to be: can play the half court, can run, be the designated bail-out scorer AND make game-changing stops every now and then. The Mixers' Barroca is steadily boosting his stock under the tutelage of assistant coach Johnny Abarrientos (and now also of Olsen Racela) while Mallari looks like he's found a niche in the pros as a "sparkplug" type. On the flipside, the Bolts have a troika of guards who also possess most of the above-mentioned qualifications save for one-- they can't shoot a lick. The Cortez acquisition gave them a heady floor general who can control the tempo, but it still didn't answer their need for another on-court offensive threat. Given the defensive nature of both teams, the point guard/s that can dictate the pace of the game will win it for his team—even if it means having to put their “scoring caps” on.
Adv. SMC
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Pakitang Gilas: Life after FIBA Asia 2013
Back to the crazy that is the PBA (Photo courtesy of PBA InterAKTV) |
We take a look at how the Gilas Pilipinas roster is doing in the on-going tournament, ranking them from 11 to 1 based on their performances.
11. Jimmy Alapag, PG, Talk 'n' Text
The captain has been busy chilling with family in the U.S. Having played for the country for so long the last decade, who's going to complain if Alapag opts to sit out the rest of the conference?
10. Jeffrei Chan, SG, Rain or Shine
4 games 22mpg 6ppg 2rpg 3apg
Did Chan shoot himself dry in the FIBA Asia? The Negros Sniper is going through a lengthy shooting slump as of late, dating back to the last conference (good thing it didn't show as much in the FIBA Asia tournament). Fortunately for Chan, he has guys like Paul Lee and Ryan Arana picking up the offense. If he's not too careful, Chris Tiu is going to take his spot as his team's best shooter from deep.
Pinoy Resbak State of Mind
Love the passion, but stick to basketball. (Photo courtesy of PBA InterAKTV) |
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.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Pilipinas to the (FIBA) World
His name is Jean Marc Pingris. (Photo courtesy of InterAKTV) |
It is the time to DREAM.
When Korea came storming back in the 4th quarter, there was a sudden hush heard all throughout the SM Mall of Asia Arena. It was 2011 all over again. Or the FIBA Asia before that. Or the one prior. All the way back to 1986 and maybe even longer. Forget trying to get over the "Great Wall," it's Korea that has seemingly broken our hearts over and over again with booming triples and their drive and kick game which is arguably on some sort of ninja mastery passed through generations.
But then the crowd started cheering, egging our Gilas players who were already without Marcus Douthit to keep on pushing. They believed. We believed. They were up one. But Jimmy Alapag was on the floor. He of the many Gilas heartbreaks the last decade or so. He was with friends. He was before family. There was no way he'd go down without a fight.
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