Amazing Arwind

The Pinoy Spiderman
(Photo credit: Inquirer.net)

When it is all said and done, the San Miguel Beermen’s do-it-all forward and former PBA MVP Arwind Santos will undoubtedly go down as one of the best ever.

Is he a small forward? But he rebounds the basketball and often makes his best defensive stops around the paint. Is he a power forward? But he shoots threes, runs the floor and isn’t exactly built like a stocky one as per Filipino traditions.

41st Leo Awards Fallout

He's got the whole world, in his hands
(Photo credit to the owner)

What a season it has been for the Philippine Basketball Association-- controversial commissioner, ugly gossips, banned media man, terminated marketing head and all.

We will let certain people worry about it, as we only truly care about the sport of basketball and the players (and coaches) involved. Like we previously said and will forever maintain, we will laugh at all the gossips and rumors (through Twitter), but we will not write about it on this blog as we prefer to keep this one all about basketball.

No backdoors involved.

Yesterday was Game 4 of the 2016 PBA Governor's Cup Finals AND also the 41st Leo Awards which recognized and celebrated this season's best individuals. Here we try to offer our two cents' worth on the winners:

Samboy Lim Sportsmanship Award - Junemar Fajardo
Where did this come from? Fajardo's one of the nicest guys on the court and all, but uh... okay, he gets fouled a lot and hardly retaliates so that's well and good. It also sets a good example and puts a nice spotlight to an otherwise "blah" award that people don't really care about. Here's a high-usage rate player, the PBA MVP, playing the game the right way and not at all concerned with theatrics, show-boating or even the hard fouls.

#FearTheBeer

The Architect
(Photo credit to PBA.Inquirer.net)

It took a lot of downsizing, some roster and coaching changes to get to where the San Miguel Beermen are now today; with last season's two-titled campaign proves that it is all worth it. And to be very honest with you, we do not see them stopping at any point in this season barring any serious injuries.

Currently sitting atop the standings with only a single defeat to their name, alongside Alaska and Rain or Shine, the Beermen are dominating the league yet again behind the fearsome foursome of 2x PBA MVP Junemar Fajardo (37mpg 20ppg 15rpg 2apg), 1x PBA MVP Arwind Santos (33mpg 15ppg 7rpg 2apg), Alex Cabagnot (32mpg 15ppg 4rpg 6apg) and Marcio Lassiter (27mpg 13ppg 5rpg 2apg) while getting ample support from the bench led by *surprise, surprise* Ronald Tubid (26mpg 9ppg 5rpg), Chris Ross, Gabby Espinas and Ryan Arana to name a few.

This team has been so good as of late that no one is really missing Chris Lutz or has bothered to go look for the Monstar responsible for taking the former SMART Gilas I standout's talent on the hardcourt.

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 Beast and The Bull

Is the PBA's newest Bad Boy
bound to be like the Bad Boys of old?
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

One look at the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup and it's easy to say who's been the most solid performer of them all on both ends of the court. With averages of third league best 17 ppg, league best 15 rpg and league 8th best 3 apg while playing a career-high 29 mpg, Abueva has continued to silence the critics (owing to his more toned down theatrics) and make a strong case for a huge, max contract once his rookie deal is up.

The only concern here now is if Abueva will ever get the nod of the PBA Board and Media and maybe at some point in his career, earn individual accolades that are usually not given to players with a "bad rep." You don't have to look that far, there's Mark Caguioa sometime in his career wherein he should've been the runaway PBA MVP but didn't get the love from the league (the year he did win the award, was probably a "do-over" by the league, but should've gone to either a TNT player or Gary David). There are others as well, most notably one of the more controversial superstars in Nelson "The Bull" Asaytono.

Of pride and chemistry

Another season of woes for SMB
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

With yesterday's PBA Governor's Cup Quarterfinals loss, the San Miguel Beermen's 2013-2014 campaign has finally come to a merciful end.

At the start of the season, penciling the Beermen in as one of the title favorites for any conference was as acceptable as dipping fishball in Mang Jose's secret recipe sarsa. It was that much of a no brainer.

They had the reigning PBA Most Valuable Player Arwind Santos in tow, freed from the redundancy that is Jay Washington. Bigger things were on the horizon for 6"9 Junemar Fajardo. Gilas standouts Chris Lutz and Marcio Lassiter were at the brink of legitimate PBA superstardom. Alex Cabagnot, point guard extraordinaire, would have so many weapons at his disposal for the easy, text book passes (and even the fancy ones that he breaks out from time to time).

And yet they finished the PBA Philippine Cup third.

THIRD.

Team Ageless

When Asi Taulava first went to the ASEAN Basketball League in what many thought would be his "swan song" after two unimpressive seasons in the PBA with the Meralco Bolts, it was met with nary a whimper. There he was, a former PBA Most Valuable Player, probably looking for one last paycheck and maybe to cash in on his name/brand.

There's nothing wrong or shameful about it, business is business. Some guys are able to quit when they are ahead, others, keep on pushing until either their minds or bodies break. At the end of the day, these men (old, injury-riddled or in-denial) are just that, men-- men who need to provide for themselves and their loved ones. What good is looking back in a once illustrious career if you can't enjoy the fruit of your labors all the way to retirement?

So when his handlers coined "Team Ageless," we were part of the many who dismissed it and just said: "best of luck to you Asi, for all the years playing for flag and country and just being an all-around good guy despite your larger-than-life size, thank you."

One ASEAN Basketball League season, championship and Most Valuable Player later, we were all proven wrong.

In a funk

"Clank!" For the struggling 2x PBA MVP
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Did you know that since the 2008-2009 season, this feared marksman's shooting clip from the three point arc has gone down considerably year after year?

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.

A PBA MVP in question

Spiderman, Spiderman,
wherefore art thou Spiderman?
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

17 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks.

Those are the numbers that the reigning PBA Most Valuable Player Arwind Santos of the Petron Blaze Boosters turned in to vanquish Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the Quarterfinals of the PBA Governor's Cup. Before that, he was good for 13 points and 8 rebounds. In the Semifinals versus Rain or Shine where he faced a myriad of do-it-all, gung ho forwards he was still good for 9 and 9.

In the recently concluded PBA Governor's Cup Finals versus the San Mig Coffee Mixers, Santos could only muster 8 and 3.

We can live with the 8 points given the team's emphasis in dumping the ball to promising big man Junemar Fajardo and the presence of high scoring import Elijah Millsap. We can live with the lessened participance on offense, but on defense?

Where's the effort? Where's the hustle?

PBA GovCup Finals: Game 7

Mukhang nagkakasawaan na tong dalawa
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

It's not every conference that fans are treated to a classic, winner-takes-all game seven in the PBA Finals pitting the conference's best and second-best teams. Somewhere along the course of the excruciating playoffs, one usually bows out to exhaustion and pressure, allowing a darkhorse to come out of the woodwork.

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.

KKS 38th Leo Awards' Picks

Sa iyo ang Asya, pero akin ang Pinas
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

What a year it has been for Philippine basketball! We've seen a top heavy 2012 PBA Draft that features some of the league's fastest rising stars, was treated to an "old school vs new school" Philippine Cup Finals between Rain or Shine and erstwhile champs Talk 'n' Text, witnessed the "choke-gate," saw the rise of a "new" Alaska, celebrated (and cried) with Gilas, among other great feats.

Now we take this opportunity to give credit where it is due and name the PBA stars who have competed and entertained millions of Filipinos all across the globe with their passion, excellence and overall on court brilliance.

All Defensive Team
PG L.A. Tenorio, SG Chris Ross , SF Calvin Abueva, PF Arwind Santos, C Junemar Fajardo
Sounds just about right from positions one to five, you have the steals, blocks and rebounds leaders all in one lot and save for maybe the still improving Ross, the five would be pillars of the PBA for the next two to four years.

Barangay Overkill. Much.

Dugong Pinoy...
...Lahing Ginebra?

What happens if Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, now blessed with 6"9 athlete Japeth Aguilar, is able to somehow pry veteran 6"9 Fil-Tonggan Asi Taulava from the hands of Team MVP?

Then it only solidifies our claim that this team has nowhere been near it's given "underdog" moniker not since reigning PBA Most Valuable Player Mark Caguioa's blonde-bombing rookie year (when they actually played guys named Ronald Magtulis and Banjo Calpito heavy minutes). Never say die? How can a team that is supposed to win big be "never say die?" The new battle cry should be "play to your standards" if anything.

Seriously, why Ginebra is still in hot pursuit of an aging role player is beyond us. Aside from Aguilar, they already have little (if not mis-)used players such as Rico Maierhofer, Billy Mamaril, Willy Wilson, Rudy Hatfield and not to mention the resurgent Kerby Raymundo.

Tenorio for PBA Commish Cup BPC

It's Caguioa's team. But Tenorio's show.

Lewis Alfred Tenorio is a winner.

He's won in high school, he's won in college and ultimately, in the professional ranks. When he was (surprisingly) traded to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, he not only became a winner, he instantly became a house hold name.

"The best point guard in all of Philippine basketball TODAY wears jersey number 5 for Ginebra."

Not a lot of people could argue with that. Jimmy Alapag? He's up there, he used to hold the throne-- but that was when he could play a full 40-45 minutes non-stop without any injuries to think about. Alex Cabagnot? He had a brief run with the crown. Jayson Castro? Still too quick for his own good at times. Our idol Paul Lee? He's a (extra half-rice) combo guard.

Ginebra wins minus MVP

Tenorio's takeover

Despite not having reigning PBA Most Valuable Player Mark Caguioa in the fold the last couple of games, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel have stormed into 4th place of the ongoing Commissioner's Cup thanks to a fiery six-game winning streak.

The victories, all via an average lead of about "only" 5.3 points, have been brought about by the obvious chemistry between prized acquisition L.A. Tenorio and replacement import Vernon Macklin (who took over for the ineffective Herbert Hill). From lobs to gimmes, the two have been a joy to watch with Tenorio enjoying his best string of games so far wearing Ginebra's red, white and black colors (averaging around 13 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists a game).

Also coming to Tenorio's aide are Kerby Raymundo (6 points, 4 rebounds in only 13 minutes), Mac Baracael and Rob Labagala.

Ginebra on fire

Slowly but surely, Kerby's back!

Winners of three straight, including last night's 84-81 yawn-fest versus the Meralco Bolts, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel finds itself back in contention and finally playing with on-court chemistry and harmony. Though they are currently facing an injury scare with ace Mark Caguioa hurting his knee yesterday, you can't sleep on this team the way they're playing at the moment.

Gone is L.A. Tenorio's (11 ppg, 4 rpg, 6 apg) hesitance of taking control of the team and simply waiting for Caguioa (22 ppg 4 rpg 3 apg) to create scoring opportunities. In the last three wins, we've seen a more aggressive, back-to-normal Tenorio who fearlessly calls his own number, holds on to the basketball a bit longer rather than simply going to Caguioa and moving out of the way and just orchestrating like the floor general we know he is.

Sophomore Jinx for Angas ng Tondo?

Hanggang dito na lang ba si Lee
o kaya nya abutin si Mark Caguioa?

Reigning PBA Rookie of the Year Paul Lee of the Rain or Shine Elastopainters was supposed to make the leap from good to great this year.

This was the year that he was supposed to take full control of the Elastopainters, the way a blonde-haired, ankle-breaking, young Mark Caguioa took over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel years back regardless of playing with established names such as Vergel Meneses and Jun Limpot.

It was his year, it was his time, it was his team.

#NoBenta

Off night or on purpose?

Last night’s 93-72 drubbing of the Barako Bull Energy squad by then winless Barangay Ginebra San Miguel left a sour taste in the mouths of most non-Ginebra fans.

If you’ve been paying close attention to how the Energy has been playing this conference, there are only two explanations for yesterday’s semi-alarming debacle. The team looked listless and lethargic, the defense was mostly man-to-man with little to no resistance to drives into the lane and the offense couldn’t have been anywhere near a Rajko Toroman-coached, urm, consulted squad.

What's up Boss Mikee?

Hey Coach Glen, let the kids play!

The PBA's leading scorer the last two-three seasons, Gary David, is finally back for the GlobalPort Batang Pier following a bunch of missed games due to nagging injuries. Though David came up with another brilliant scoring display last Friday versus the struggling Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, it wasn't enough to give the Batang Pier their 2nd win in 9 games.

Expect David to burn the twine yet again alongside 2x PBA MVP Willie Miller and the 2012 PBA Draft "steal"Jason Deutchman-- these three guys can all bury the shot from deep all day when given the go signal. But that's not where we're going with in tonight's entry. We'd like to focus more on the wishy-washy handling of the rotation and the players that are starting to get more minutes on the floor.

No need to panic

Props to Romeo Catap for the artwork

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, it's legion of fans at that, need to chill with all the panicking, heckling, critiquing and whatever drama rises out of the woodwork. The team is just fine folks, nothing to see here. Nothing worth blowing Twitter up about or calling for head coach Siot Tangquincen's head to be served on a silver platter... at least not yet.

With the acquisition of elite point guard L.A. Tenorio and high-flying rookies Chris Ellis and Keith Jensen (who's proving to be more of a knockdown shooter than dunker), expectations were insanely high. After all, there's reigning PBA MVP Mark Caguioa looking healthier by the day, old reliables like Jayjay Helterbrand, Billy Mamaril, Willy Wilson, Kerby Raymundo, Rico Maierhofer and Rudy Hatfield. Plus the rising Espana Express duo of Allein Maliksi and Dylan Ababou among other names (teka, si Elmer Espiritu na lang ata di ko nabanggit) to fill up the roster.

Grind-it-out Basketball for Black, Texters

Offense wins games,
defense wins championships

Six undefeated games in and we are seeing newly appointed Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters' head coach Norman Black's imprints on a team that has been winning so much the last two-three years. This isn't the same Texters squad that would simply run right through the competition with their high-octane offense solely dependent on their uber-talented roster. This is a team that is learning the beauty of ugly "70-75 points endgame score" basketball.

While former head coach Chot Reyes has led this team to several Finals appearances and titles behind the aforementioned scheme with a defense that was just as okay, Black's version of the Texters is just scarier-- if you could even call it that since we don't know of any team last season and the one before that would openly say that they'd like to face the Texters in a seven-game title series.