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.

El Granada looks to detonate anew

Gary David to Meralco 

After a year of frustrations and injuries, PBA scoring champion Gary David has been sent by GlobalPort to Meralco in a trade that also includes rookie A.J. Mandani for point guards and former PBL rivals Chris Ross and Chris Timberlake.

From the outside looking in, we love the trade solely for two reasons: it reunites David with a more "shooter-friendly" offense with Meralco's Dribble Drive and two, it gives him a new lease on life after "regressing" this 38th PBA Season. By that we mean, his scoring clip was going up the last five seasons-- scoring average of 15, 17, 18, 21 and 25 before going "down" to 18 again.

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.

Lutz and Lassiter proved to be
a handful for San Mig Coffee
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

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).

Come Rain or Shine (A Fan Commentary)

Beau Belga or not, Yeng Guiao needs
to take a look at Jervy Cruz in 2014
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

This was supposed to be the year that the Rain or Shine Elastopainters, led by the bullish (he's not as temperamental as before though) Yeng Guiao, were able to break through the glass ceiling.

Why wouldn't they? They were coming off a hard-earned and well-fought for PBA Governor's Cup 2012 championship, three of their starters were "good enough" to crack the prestigious Gilas Pilipinas national team pool and they were going to have the reigning PBA Rookie of the Year Paul Lee back for the season after his debut got cut short by injuries.

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

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.

PBA GovCup Semis: Meralco - Designed to Fail?

Nag mukhang unggoy yung Meralco
sa pangit ng rotation
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Before anything else, we would like to give a shoutout to the Meralco Bolts for their gutsy stand despite the huge disparity in personnel and firepower in their series against the San Mig Coffee Mixers. Import Mario West put in an impressive and valiant effort despite clearly being hobbled by a shoulder injury he suffered the game before. 

But what we want to touch on this entry is to openly question just what the hell happened with the Bolts. Did they push and ride the “underdog” tag too much? Were players being withheld from being fielded in? What the hell kind of rotation and game plan was Bolts head coach Ryan Gregorio trying to play the entire series?

The way the series unraveled, the Bolts played small ball most of the time with veteran Reynel Hugnatan duking it out with San Mig Coffee’s Marc Pingris, Marqus Blakely and Rafi Reavis underneath. Spelling him was JayR Reyes, a 6”8 warm body with six handy fouls to give out at best.

A Gargantuan Task

Beat Petron? Tall task for RoS
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

The Rain or Shine Elastopainters and their fiery mentor Yeng Guiao are in a bind.

Down 0-2 in their PBA Governor’s Cup Semifinals matchup against powerhouse Petron Blaze Boosters, the Elastopainters are finding it difficult to defend the crown they won a season ago behind a roster of no-names and journeymen. Forget that the games have been surprisingly close until maybe a late 4th quarter breakaway (Boosters’ Elijah Milsap going HAM in Game 1), the Elastopainters are one win away from being eliminated.

And it seems that there’s just nothing they can do about it.

The kids are all right

Alas & co vs South East Asia
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

With the mainstream collegiate basketball season almost at its end, the focus now shifts on the coming 27th South East Asian Games (December 11 to 22, to be held in Myanmar) where the Philippines is favored to dominate the sport anew.

Already announced to call the shots is Meralco Bolts assistant coach Jong Uichico (who, at this point in his career, is really over-qualified for the job but hey) to be aided by Far Eastern University’s brain thrust Nash Racela and Josh Reyes. Naturalized center Marcus Douthit will also suit up which pretty much guaran-damn-tees us to be one of the medal favorites.

PBA GovCup Semis: San Mig Coffee vs Meralco

With Maliksi out, PJ Simon's
got buckets on mind
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

With Game 1 already out of the way, things are looking mighty interesting between the San Mig Coffee Mixers and the Meralco Bolts. We breakdown the match-ups and take a look at the necessary adjustments we feel should be made if this series is to go the distance.

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

PBA GovCup Semis: Petron vs Rain or Shine

Which Gilas player will shine
brightest this series?
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

With all the PBA Governor's Cup 2013 title favorites able to make short-work of their playoff assignments (save for San Mig Coffee), let's move on to the semifinals and take a look at how the match-ups will unfold. First up are the league-leading Petron Blaze Boosters versus the defending champs, the Rain or Shine Elastopainters:

PG: Alex Cabagnot/ Chico Lanete vs Paul Lee/ Chris Tiu/ Jonathan Uyloan/ TY Tang

Perhaps the only chink in this rejuvenated and re-fueled Petron Blaze attack in this semifinals match-up is the guard position, wherein Rain or Shine's knack of playing about four (even five) guys at the point guard spot can easily disrupt the opposing team's scouting report. Cabagnot will put up the stats given the minutes, but this match-up will depend on what we'll see from reigning PBA Rookie of the Year Paul Lee.  If Lee comes in with the mindset to attack, Cabagnot will be on the defensive and Petron might need to dust off little-used defensive hound Denok Miranda. Tiu, Uyloan and Tang can all stay in front of Lanete and put up points.

Adv. Rain or Shine
Just confirmed news that Paul Lee is out for 3 weeks with a muscle tear. Shit just got harder for Rain or Shine. Petron with obvious advantage now at PG spot.

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).

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.

Uphill Climb for Texters

Boracay? Kami? Pang abroad kaya
kami pag championship bonus.
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Just a week or so ago we wrote about how the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters were "under maintenance" owing to their lousy start this PBA Governor's Cup and how we shouldn't hold it against them after all they've done for flag and country.

Well, the champion Texters are a prideful bunch.

Last night, they were able to force a deciding duel with the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel for the 8th and final spot. Should they lose, then that's it for the Texters. But you just don't go counting out a team that's pretty much been in every single PBA playoff scenario the last three years.

Not when Jimmy "Mighty Mouse" Alapag can still lace it up it and continue to knockdown back-breaking, "straight from the parking lot" long threes.

Ang batang Maliksi

Ang batang Maliksi
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

When the San Mig Coffee Mixers’ Allein Maliksi first came into the league by way of the Barako Bull Energy, he quickly started to make a name for himself as a wiry and creative scorer reminiscent of 90s Pinoy superstars Kenneth Duremdes, Vergel Meneses and Bong Alvarez.

You know what we’re talking about. Guys who just make the game look easy, shooting jumpshots, driving to the hoop and throwing in a dunk or two from time to time.

So it really shouldn’t be much of a surprise to see Maliksi finding a niche with the Mixers this PBA Governor’s Cup (or even when he was briefly sent to Barangay Ginebra then back to Barako Bull). The 2011 PBA D-League Best Player of the Conference is blessed with a PBA stardom-ready body frame standing 6”3 and weighing a fit 180 lbs. (again, Duremdes II). Despite playing only 24 minutes a game, Maliksi is averaging a respectable 12 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists in Mixers’ head coach Tim Cone’s “new” spread-out offense wherein everyone gets a chance to score.

Washington Reinvented

Introducing... Batang Pier CENTER #18
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

If you were under the misguided impression that one Anthony "Jay" Washington wasn't PBA material because of the string of subpar performances he had with his former team, well, we can't blame you.

He was tagged as a "go-to-player" because of his impressive skill set and natural gifts. He can shoot, pass, dribble the length of the floor and play positions one through five. He can lock guys down, he can pretty much do it all when needed.

Only, just don't ask him to carry an entire team.

System under maintenance

Teams are actually OUTWORKING the Texters
(Photo courtesy of PBA InterAKTV)

It's tough being the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters these days.

Lend your core players and staff for flag and country, try to create a stop-gap in the PBA by bringing in some young talent and a high-scoring import in Tony Mitchell, then have them all come back together to try and make another playoffs push as is the Texters norm the last three years.

Except, instead of a power surge that would lead to productivity in all fronts, the Texters overall system came crashing down on their way to the bottom of the PBA Governor's Cup standings.

Petron SMASH!

Even new recruit Doug Kramer's bought
into the Petron system
(Photo courtesy of PBA InterAKTV)

Hell hath no fury like a couple of scorned Gilas hopefuls

That was the message sent by the Petron Blaze Boosters last night en route to their 122-88 trashing of heated rival Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters. The Texters, which boasts of four core Gilas players (not to mention the brain/financial thrust) , were never really in it no thanks to the Boosters' unforgiving defense and high octane, sweet-shooting offense.

Let the madness begin... The Return of Asi

Can the Cool Cat shine anew in a different system?
(Photo courtesy of PBA InterAKTV)

So the two camps have finally reached a middle ground.

After weeks of endless discussion and possible (and fantasy) trade scenarios, the Meralco Bolts have agreed to give its rights to inactive (re: moonlighting/ reigning ASEAN Basketball Most Valuable Player) big man Asi Taulava to the Air21 Express in exchange for the (equally) resuscitated career of point guard Mike Cortez.

Now if you're naive enough to believe that Taulava is going to stay put and suit up for the Express and is in it for the long haul,  well, good for you. But it doesn't take much rewinding, research and exploring to connect the dots and see where this is going to.

Pakitang Gilas: Life after FIBA Asia 2013

Back to the crazy that is the PBA
(Photo courtesy of PBA InterAKTV)

The magical run to the FIBA Asia 2012 silver medal was nothing short of historic, with the Gilas Pilipinas program setting its sights on the coming FIBA Worlds competition in Spain next year. But world-wide glory will have to take a backseat as the players (and coaches and staff) have all returned to their mother PBA ball clubs to compete for the prestigious PBA Governor's Cup and end their PBA season with a bang.

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.