PBA Ph C SF: 3 Star V 7 Ginebra

Galit galit muna, parekoy
(Photo credit: philstar.com)

Finally, the marketing genius that is "Manila Classico" can finally be able to live up to its own hype.

When the term was brilliantly coined, it was driven more because of the growing popularity of the Star Hotshots (re: Purefoods) which was slowly challenging that of Barangay Ginebra's. Sure, Star always had fans, but it was more because they always had TV matinee idol-looking players who could play very well and resonated more with a specific audience. Ginebra? They're the people's team. They're the team that went from chanting "Diego" towards a heated opponent before showering him with "Pogi" when he joined them later in his career.

But they were never really rivals. Far from it. Star was winning titles left and right and was a perennial contender. Ginebra, was, well, Ginebra.

The script was flipped when Ginebra landed Star's grand slam coach Tim Cone and started putting the pieces together. They won a title in Cone's first year, they're now being taken seriously as a defensive unit. Star suffered a brief setback last season (re: the Jason Webb experiment) but appear to be back on track under new head coach Chito Victolero. So now, we can talk rivalry. Because Ginebra appears to be building towards a new dynasty to challenge San Miguel, while Star still has the grand slam core (a very young one at that) while adding famed Ginebra-killer Paul Lee.

Oh you think we're going over board with the "Ginebra Killer" tag? YouTube: Paul Lee + Ginebra.

You're welcome.

Ginebra's new offense

Holding it down
(Photo credit: Sports5.ph)

No, it's not the Triangle.

Coach Tim Cone and his wards have found life after their PBA Governor's Cup championship (and import Justin Brownlee), not to mention while playing minus franchise center 7"0 Greg Slaughter, by going against the current flow of the PBA game. While other teams have embraced a high-scoring approach with scores breaking the century mark, Ginebra has taken a more defensive stand anchored on efficiency.

The team currently leads the league per game in: points allowed at 84 ppg (vs 86 ppg for them); 2-pt field goal percentage at 37%; and assists at 23. Ginebra has also made a conscious effort in not falling in love with the three-ball, taking a league-last 18 attempts per game (though you could argue that it's merely because they do not have the specialists at the moment to do so).

F8 rewarded

It's been a long day...
(Photo credit: inq.net)

It took eight years and what now seems like a platoon of coaches before Barangay Ginebra San Miguel won another PBA championship, but last night everything just fell into place.

Coach Tim Cone was outsmarting his counterpart on every turn; the team held a 3-2 series lead; the other team’s (Meralco) most defiant soldier—Jimmy Alapag, was hurting; Ginebra’s aging duo of Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand were rallying the "kids";  and no less than the Ginebra beloved Robert Jaworski, Sr. was in attendance. 

The near buzzer-beating triple by import Justin Brownlee, to break an 88-all lock, was icing on the cake.

PBA GC SF 2 San Miguel Beer vs 3 Ginebra

The Kraken vs The Aguila(r)
(Photo credit: Sports5.ph)

We are going to be in for quite a #TeamSanMiguel slobber knocker of a semifinals clash between sister teams: defending PBA Governor’s Cup champions San Miguel Beer and the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

In a sense, this is the basketball God’s way of “testing” head coach Tim Cone’s Ginebra squad: should they wish to further themselves and live up to championship expectations, then they will have to go through arguably the most dominant team in the last two seasons. It won’t be easy, since the Beermen appear to have (re)embraced a certain “win now, win big” philosophy anchored on making the most out of 2x PBA MVP Junemar Fajardo’s (still young) basketball career.

So who will win the Best-of-Five affair (which, in all honestly, would most likely command audiences worthy of any PBA Finals or All Star Game all in itself)? Here is our take:

2016 PBA GC QF: 3 Ginebra vs 6 Alaska

It's Japeth's time
(Photo credits to the owner)

Paki taas lang po ng kamay yung mga Alaska fans na nakahinga ng maluwag na hindi San Miguel ang napares sa kanila sa Quarterfinals. Seriously, we wouldn’t blame the Gatas Republic if they have developed some sort of Beermen-trauma by now.

That being said, it should be rather entertaining to see the “Never Say Die” heirs squaring off with the “No Quit Squad” with much of the focus squarely on Calvin Abueva. It is no secret that Abueva loves to play against Ginebra (and their legion of fans); and that since he has been inserted into the starting unit the Aces have been on a roll in the PBA Governor’s Cup.

Here is how we see the match-ups playing out:

The Ginebra Blueprint (Part 1)

Lahing Ginebra, laking Ginebra
(Photo credit: Inquirer.net)

The Philippine Basketball Association appears to be at a complete loss when it comes to trying to achieve even a quarter of the Manila Classico live audiences for games that do not feature Barangay Ginebra (and in some ways, Star Hotshots).

Just how on earth did Ginebra grow into such a cash-cow, given the fact that it has hardly been in the PBA Finals while also being a non-family friendly brand in itself? Is it really because of Robert Jaworski, Sr.’s magic? The man dubbed as the “Living Legend” has been retired for nearly two decades now. Is it because of the “masa” charm of their players? Greg Slaughter, Sol Mercado and Chris Ellis do not exactly connect with the stereotype.

So what gives?

Back on track

Sol Train cometh

Historically speaking, we have always been pretty hard on Barangay Ginebra San Miguel's Sol Mercado. If you were to check our Twitter posts about him, we almost always critique him for being the same damn player today as when he entered as the 5th pick in the 2008 PBA Draft.

But that is only because we saw a lot of tools in the Biola University product which could have made him one of the premier players in the league. Hell, he even looked like he was ready to break through the glass ceiling that one season with the Meralco Bolts before they inexplicably sent him elsewhere. Last year with Ginebra, we thought that he could contribute under then head coach Frankie Lim. Not a lot, but there is always some use for a power guard in a league that is known for its physicality.

Starpower

Encore
(Photo credit: Aktv)

While we have always been critical of the PBA All Star Game format for some of the players who are voted/ selected, we will be the first ones to admit that we don’t mind a fun-filled weekend wherein we are able to see our favorite players ham it up, dance, dribble and dunk with the 4th d, defense, being the last thing in play.

Voted as the North All Stars starters are:  Terrence Romeo, Mark Caguioa, Calvin Abueva, Marc Pingris and Japeth Aguilar. They will be joined by Jayson Castro, Alex Cabagnot, Gabe Norwood (Marcio Lassiter’s replacement), Paul Lee, Ranidel de Ocampo, Stanley Pringle and Troy Rosario, and coached by Rain or Shine’s Yeng Guiao.

For the South, it will be San Miguel’s coach Leo Austria and starters James Yap, Scottie Thompson, Greg Slaughter, June Mar Fajardo and Joe Devance. Coming off the bench are Jeffrei Chan, JR Quinahan, Jericho Cruz, Chris Ross, Mark Barroca, RR Garcia, Carlo Lastimosa and Asi Taulava.

Do we like the rosters?

Blik N U, D N Q Pgod

(Photo credit: Interaksyon.com

Mahirap maging isang Lewis Alfred Tenorio.

Andyan na yung kinukutya ka ng buong Barangay, tuwing masama ang laro mo, dahil nauna mo ng nasabi na "tao ka lang" at "pagod ka na din." Nasa hulog naman yung sinasabi mo e, ikaw kaya ang magensayo at malaro di lang para sa Barangay Ginebra kung hindi para na din sa Gilas Pilipinas ng ilang sunod na taon?

Kahit lumaklak ka pa ng lifetime supply ng Gatorade at anong promo pa ng "ganado" ang ibenta ng marketing department ninyo, sempre ang tao, napapagod.

Rebirth of the Alpha

Natural Born Killer
(Photo credit to PBA.Inquirer.Net)

Thank you Terrence Romeo not only for that sizzling 41-point performance to open the PBA Philippine Cup Semifinals between your lower-seeded Global Port Batang Pier versus the mighty Alaska Aces, but for also bringing back to the hearts of many the role of the Alpha.

Sure, we have seen some 30 and 40-point games from the likes of 2x PBA MVP Junemar Fajardo and the supernatural (that is what we are calling him nowadays) Jayson Castro, but nothing quite like how Romeo did or does it. The willingness to take responsibility and accountability, win or lose. The selfish, bastardly mindset to brush off teammates and just shoot at will. To ignore the offensive sets because he recognizes that he IS the offense.

The Alpha. The Scorer. The Killer.

Kalma lang

Photo credit to PBA.Inquirer.net

Dear Ginebra fans,

Kamusta kayo? Matapos maabot ang alapaap nung kapaskuhan at pauwiing luhaan ang napakarami ding Star Hotshots fans, eto kayo ngayon at sinusubukan bumawi sa mapait na pagkatalo kagabi sa Global Port.

May dahilan ba kayo para magalit?

Oo. Kahit sabihin pa ng iba na hater niyo ako (na hindi naman, dahil kung Ginebra die-hard talaga kayo e dapat alam niyo kung saan ko nakuha itong pangalan ng blog ko, bilang dati akong kasapi), may punto naman talaga. Lagpas limang segundo naman talaga kung bibilangin maigi. Kaso hindi binilang. At hindi ni-review. Pinaubos na lang ang oras, at tapos na ang basketball.

Jordan Pippen

Jordan Pippen
(Photo credit to the owner)

“I’ll be Jordan on offense and Scottie on defense.”

You know what they say about sleeping in the bed that you made; good or bad, you are stuck with it and will always be responsible and accountable for your words and actions. For Barangay Ginebra San Miguel's Chris Ellis, the above quote was taken from a Spin.Ph piece written by Snow Badua when asked how he sees himself fitting in head coach Tim Cone's Triangle Offense moving forward.

24 minutes 5 points 5 rebounds 1 assist 1 turnover 34% from 2 and 13% from 3/ per game

There is hardly anything Jordan-esque, hell even Pippen-esque with those numbers in nine games played so far.

But making fun of Ellis, jocosely dubbed "Jordan Pippen," would be too easy and is not why we are here. We are here to help.

But being born and raised from the old school cement courts of Pasay, this is not for the weak of heart.

Blood on the water

Unstoppable
(Photo credit to the owner)

There is blood on the water yet they do not fear. A harbinger of undeniable destruction to all things. They make water spinach jokes when they should be at unrest. They do not see the greatness that is blossoming right before their very eyes.

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, still incomplete and sloppy in games, has reached the 0.500 mark in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup. Their head coach, Tim Cone, has dismissed any notion of his team being favorites or Finals shoo-ins. Their play suggests that much-- that there is still much to do and learn before they could entertain such glorious thoughts. He is right.  But then again, it does not take much prodding for a lackadaisical beast to go on rampage. It does not take that big a hole to destroy an already filled to the brim dam.

In the clutch

Nobody said it was easy.
(Photo credit to the owner)

Thirty-four minutes played, 4 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 2 turnovers all while looking lost in the scheme of things.

Life is not going to be easy this season for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel star guard and former PBA MVP Mark Caguioa- not under coach Tim Cone, the Triangle Offense and his (Caguioa's) brittle 35-year-old knees. But if he truly intends to see his beloved red and white back in the PBA Finals or at least get them by its doorstep, it is a challenge, a sacrifice, that he needs to embrace.

Call it a hot take on yesterday's Manila Classico wherein Ginebra lost to STAR 78-86. Call it a small sample that should not be taken with much ado and fervor. Call it what you like, but we will still call it as we saw it.

The Suicide Squad

ChampionshipSSSSS or bust.
(Photo credit to the owner)

When it is all said and done, Earl Timothy Cone will most likely be lauded as the greatest PBA coaching mind to ever grace this side of the sporting world. His 18 PBA championships has launched him above his very own local idol, the late great Baby Dalupan, if his impressive feat of winning two Grand Slams in different eras with different teams hasn't already.

But just when you thought that there was no challenge left for Coach Tim to overcome, here comes what is arguably the most Herculean of tasks bestowed upon him: to reward the millions of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel fans by turning the once underdogs turned under-achievers into a legitimate, PBA champion team.

See, Ginebra isn't the Los Angeles Lakers of the PBA. They are the New York Knicks. Loved. Popular. But hardly any rings to show for. Who is the PBA's Lakers? That's their sister team Purefoods. The Boston Celtics? That's San Miguel Beer. It is all about the championships, always.

When San Miguel brass opted to extract Cone from STAR where he was comfortably gearing up for multiple title runs, they knew that they were already sacrificing the identity of Ginebra. With Cone, they will no longer be underdogs. They haven't been underdogs in a long time, really. Never say die? What's that? The title drought was more due to poor coaching, the support of fans going into their players' heads turning them into basketball divas and overall just subpar play.

Tim Cone to Ginebra

Sorry Johnny, Coach Tim and RdR
will be taking their talents to Ginebra
(Photo credit: Sports5.ph)

When we were first indoctrinated into the world of the Philippine Basketball Association in 1996, it was during the PBA Governor's Cup Finals-- a best-of-seven affair between the grandslam seeking Alaska Milkmen and the crowd darlings, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

On one side was the most charismatic head coach/ player in the history of the game, Robert Jaworski, Sr., commanding the likes of Noli Locsin, Bal David, Marlou Aquino and Vince Hizon. Now while we weren't familiar with the PBA brand of play, we already had a working idea of how basketball players should look and talk like thanks to the NBA. Let's just say that based on body fat percentage and muscle tone alone, none of the Ginebra players fit the mold save for maybe Vince Hizon. Yet they were the crowd darlings, they were fighting tooth and nail with a team that looked so fluid, so sexy, that it was hard NOT to root for the obvious underdogs.

Who exposed us to this title bout? Our mom. Who was an Alaska fan at the time, thanks to Jojo Lastimosa's looks and game. She was probably trying to turn us into Alaska fans too, but we ended up liking the other team. Anyway, Alaska was being coached by a dirty blonde who almost always finished every play drawn in the huddle with an "aight" or "all right?"

His name is Tim Cone.

#KangCone

To put things in perspective, polarizing sports writer/ reporter Snow Badua was the first to hint at a possible coaching change that could greatly affect the PBA landscape. Today, Badua's "tweeter hint" actually made it to the mainstream media, with no less than veteran sports guys from Nelson Beltran of The Philippine Star to Fidel Mangonon III of Spin.Ph writing about this quite sensitive and surprising topic.

"Tim Cone to Ginebra."

That's basically how we can best sum it up. It hasn't happened, there are no announcements or formal statements yet, but you know what they always say about there being fire when there's smoke in the area. When reached for comment, even Coach Tim said something along the lines of him "serving at the pleasure of Mr. Ang."

Which means, it is possible. It isn't true, at least not yet, but it is possible if San Miguel big boss Ramon Ang wants it to happen.

Will it work for Ginebra though?

Yes. Of course it will. It may take a while, or maybe they'll be champions overnight, but it will work. Tim Cone's 18 PBA championships among other impressive feats say it will. Triangle? He's been running more motion offense with STAR Hotshots as of late. So he can switch to that. Or he can just stick to his Triangle, which Ginebra's already familiar with thanks to former 1-conference coach Jeffrey Cariaso, and have Greg Slaughter look like the dominant 7"0 he's hyped to be (instead of looking like the Andy Seigle to Junemar Fajardo's prime Marlou Aquino).

Sucks for STAR, but they have the names on that roster, plus championship pedigree to rise above it with any veteran or young coach.

Ginebra?

They need a lot of coaching and managing.

Tim Cone's just the guy. The veterans will listen to him. L.A. Tenorio won't stomp his foot on the hardcourt, make stupid faces and throw tantrums. Coach Tim knows how to massage L.A.'s ego. Mark Caguioa? He'll respond to Coach Tim. The championships will make him respond. Plus, he's in that age and point in his career wherein he'd be a perfect Jolas option.

So we're not worried about Ginebra, and or STAR.

We're worried about Coach Tim.

We kind of saw this coming.

When he chose to leave Alaska and sign "with the devil," we knew that it was only a matter of time before he was made into a pawn by the SMC umbrella. This is the very same Team SMC that rotates coaches for fun, declares "co-coaches," hires Team Consultants in the guise of Coaches, and what not.

Purefoods has a long, lasting legacy and great integrity when it comes to sticking to coaches. But at the end of the day, whoever is there, is still under Team SMC. And if Mr. Ang wants you to move, you move.

Or you hope that you can land a gig with Team MVP.

So what about Coach Tim?

Well, if he is indeed to move to Ginebra, then this should be a fun project for him. To jumpstart a perennial losing basketball program, and reward its millions of fans all over the world (you won't believe how popular Ginebra bench players are even here in the Middle East). It's a challenge-- specially after jumping from Alaska to STAR, and winning a grandslam and just knowing that he could win more titles with that roster.

But how about his legacy?

He'll move to Ginebra. But will he be in control? Who's to say if one day, Mr. Ang wants him to move yet again-- to San Miguel, back to STAR, or we'll be damned, Barako Bull or Global Port?

Worse, what if one day, Mr. Ang and whoever is calling the shots make Coach Tim "co-coach?"

This is the drawback when it comes to making deals with the "crossroads demon."

#KangCone ?

Trust us, it won't stick. Because Coach Tim will turn Ginebra into a multi-title team should he really move there.

But, we just hope he'll be the one calling the shots and that Ginebra will be his last stop.

PBA GC QF: (1) Alaska vs (8) Ginebra

Whichever team controls the paint,
controls the series
(Photo credits to Sports5)

This is not going to be pretty.

For the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel faithful, there's no harm in entertaining thoughts of an upset. Basketball is a fair and just sport-- the ball is round, shots can go in or out, players can get sick/ hurt/ cause drama on any given day. There is always a chance of winning.

But in this series? Versus a healthy and well-oiled Alaska Aces squad that quietly snuck its way atop the PBA Governor's Cup standings with arguably the most low-profile, no, under-rated import in Romeo Travis leading the way?

Slim to none. The chances are slim. To. None.

Kamusta mga ka-Barangay?

Even when he's trying to be physical,
Slaughter still looks SAWFT
(Photo credits to Sports5)

We will be very honest with you:

We love head coach Frankie Lim for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. Because he's like the "daddy" that a team loaded with egos, and fans who are borderline fanatics and sometimes even, illogical, need. While some circles were busy ranting about who should and shouldn't have been traded, or how Player A should get more minutes than Player B because "he is good-looking and could dunk so he should be a borderline PBA superstar, right?"-- well, CFL has basically stuck to his guns, played the guys he wants to play, and still doesn't give a rat's ass what you think of the team's first Asian import and how much he should've/ should've not played.

Eight games. Three wins. Five losses.

They score 93. Give up 95. Rebound 49. Give up 50. Dish out 18 versus 15. Foul 26. Get 27. Turn the ball over 14. Force 13.

The numbers are close.

A Captain for the Barangay

How will Slaughter respond to CFL?
(Photo credits to the owner)

Admit it or not, Ginebra fans have long flirted with the idea of having Yeng Guiao as its coach: an old school cat, much like their legendary Robert Jaworski, Sr., fearless, charismatic and all-around Pinoy macho on the sidelines.

But they also want someone who is approachable and accessible, who knows his Xs and Os, calls out referees but then accommodates #selfie requests and open practices.

It seems that they have found just the man for the job in Coach Frankie Lim.

Though Barangay Ginebra San Miguel is still a few wins and a healthy Greg Slaughter short of looking like a legitimate title contender in the on-going PBA Governor's Cup, Coach Frankie has succeeded in taking full control of an otherwise proud yet flailing, egocentric individual-filled franchise while keeping expectations of arguably the toughest and most demanding fans in the country at bay.

A special thanks to our friends at HumbleBola.com for providing us with the numbers which shows Ginebra averaging 93 ppg, 42% 2 point field goals, 31% 3 point field foals, 42 rpg, 16 apg, 13 topg and 8 spg versus 96 ppg, 47% 2, 34% 3, 48 rpg, 18 apg, 18 topg and 5 spg (in four of the five games played-- give them a break, it's the weekend lol) under Coach Frankie. Basically, while the numbers are down (because of the initial losses suffered early), the team is starting to respond well defensively in terms of getting more steals and forcing turnovers (which would and should, theoretically, ignite their running game).