The Forgotten

Denok takes the lead
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

In the proud basketball hierarchy of Filipino point guards today, where would you rank Barako Bull Energy Cola's Denok Miranda?

Scoring wise, there are more explosive guards out there who are probably going to be mentioned ahead of the 6"0 former Far Eastern University stalwart. But did you know that the defensive-specialist is averaging a team high 15.29 points per game for the Energy Cola while still being his same, lockdown, blue collar self?

If you want to talk speed, then yes, Miranda isn't as cat quick. Size? Miranda's been asked several times to cover the opposing team's shooting guards who are usually around the 6"0-6"3 range (something that he's done quite well really).

So why is Miranda still not considered as one of the league's prized point guards despite winning titles for two different teams and being a proven leader on the court?

Cabagnot Conundrum

The Crunchman Saveth?
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

A few weeks ago, we felt that it was rather unfair for Global Port Batang Pier's neophyte head coach Pido Jarencio to single out his starting point guard Alex Cabagnot amid their losing ongoing losing streak.

If you walked up to us and said that the Batang Pier lost their first eight games because Cabagnot was averaging 10.38 points to go with 5.88 assists per game, we'd have laughed at your great and admirable grasp of the sport. Looking back at Cabagnot's career since 2005, the man's averaged 11 points and 5 assists.

Yes, he's had incredible, clutch games here and there, but overall, Cabagnot is an 11 points and 5 assists man-- which isn't bad on the PBA level mind you, given the years of consistent play.

The Leading Men of Petronovela

After a fiery start in the PBA Philippine Cup, the Petron Blaze Boosters find themselves looking for religion as they are now down 1-3 to the Rain or Shine Elastopainters in their semifinals duel.

As much as Petron fans would like to believe that this series is still salvageable, and that if there's any PBA team that can come back from the ashes it would be their guys, it's hard to imagine the Elastopainters losing three straight after maybe a ten game stretch wherein they only lost one (Game 3 to the Boosters). To win, the Boosters will need to work as a cohesive unit immune from individual forays and exploits. There was a time in basketball when all you needed was maybe two to three monster players supported by a couple of bums and presto: instant championship parade.

Well, the Elastopainters are made of mostly "bums" save for maybe two or three 1st round picks the last few years, so what's the Boosters' excuse?

The Top 10 PBA Philippine Cup Semifinals Storylines

Aguilar kontra Pingris,
Ginebra vs San Mig Coffee

While we await the winner of Game 2 of the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and San Mig Coffee Mixers match-up slated later today, here are a few of the "must watch/ interesting/ keep an eye out for" things we expect or have seen from the above mentioned pairing and the other one between the Rain or Shine Elastopainters and the Petron Blaze Boosters.

Forgive us for not making any updates the last few days (and during the quarterfinals) because of this writer's daughter's birth (7.3 lbs, born last January 26, 2014!). That being said, you can always check out our PBA Philippine Cup Semifinals (and Quarterfinals) Preview on SolarSportsDesk.ph where we are graciously and generously provided some bandwidth to try our very best to sound as analytical as possible (please bear in mind that we are very happy to be part of the contributors line-up, meaning, we have some leeway to throw in some written jabs here and there while you, the reader, have all creative freedom to call us names and what not).

The most entertaining allegation would be that this writer is a "San Mig Coffee fan."

Without further adieu, we bring to you the "Top 10 2014 PBA Philippine Cup Semifinals Storylines:"

10. Tim Cone is on track to be the PBA's Ric Flair
The winningest coach in all of Philippine professional basketball is further cementing his place in Philippine basketball history which would pretty much vindicate his transfer from the Alaska franchise over to powerhouse (literally, figuratively and financially) San Mig Coffee. It took Cone 22 years to win 13 titles with Alaska, now he is on track for his 3rd title since his controversial transfer in 2011. If Cone and his Mixers should win it all, well, "Whooooooooooooo 16x!!!" 

Don't call it a comeback

Danny Ildefonso has found a new home in the PBA.

The former two-time PBA Most Valuable Player, now near the twilight of his illustrious basketball career, was left homeless early in the on-going PBA Philippine Cup after his team of xx years-- the Petron Blaze Boosters (former San Miguel Beermen) decided not to renew his contract. To his rescue are the Boosters' umbrella corporation rivals, Team Manny V. Pangilinan by way of the Meralco Bolts which were lacking in skilled, post players.

In a match seemingly made in heaven, Ildefonso had a successful debut last Saturday for the Bolts (winning 92-88 in overtime over the Air21 Express) finishing with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists on top of setting brilliant screens and picks for his shooters and just working like the skilled veteran he is off-the-ball.

Life after Petron

Different jersey, same game.
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

When Anthony “Jay” Washington first came into the local basketball scene, people noticed him more for him being LeBron James’ “kalokalike” in more ways than one. Not only did he resemble the Basketball Hall of Fame bound NBA superstar, but he also played the game in an almost similar way (with James’ playing it inter-galactic, across the universe, notches higher of course).

So when the Talk’n’Text Tropang Texters (2006-2008) and later on San Miguel Beermen now Petron Blaze Boosters (2008-2013) took him to the fold, you just knew that this guy was special—special in the sense that he could decide the outcome of any game in whatever capacity or role is given him.

Dynamite.

Danny Seigle, recognized as Philippine basketball’s “Dynamite” for his incredible scoring prowess and for redefining the Filipino small forward position, is almost a clear example of life imitating art. Drafted in 1999 and an annual candidate for PBA Most Valuable Player, Seigle is almost at the twilight of his illustrious basketball career peppered with a myriad of injuries.

Why do we say that Seigle's case is "life imitating art?" In 2008, director Darren Donofsky Aronofsky and writer Robert Siegel teamed up for a brilliant sports-drama film “The Wrestler” which starred famed actor Mickey Rourke. The piece was astutely moving and heart-wrenching in the sense that it was raw and brutally honest recounting the life of an aged sports entertainer still clinging to all the glory of his now lost youth.

He was hanging and carrying on despite his advanced years—if only for the love of entertaining his adoring fans. Or angling for one last paycheck. Or simply because it was all he had left.

One. More. Match.

The Kraken Effect

Here’s a question: “how many centers does it take to stop Junemar Fajardo?”

You know, the 6”10 Petron Blaze Boosters’ incoming sophomore center who ran roughshod against any and all defenses in the recently concluded 2013 PBA Governor’s Cup and expected to do even more damage the coming year? The kid who is being mentored by no less than 2x PBA MVP teammate and sure fire, first ballot Hall of Famer Danny Ildefonso?

All 10 PBA teams had this in mind going into the highly successful and entertaining 2013 PBA Draft, with most opting to fortify their frontlines first before adding talent of any kind. This is pretty much how a “project” big men like Isaac Holstein and Justin Chua went ahead of steadier and more accomplished names such as Nico Salva, Jeric Teng and Alex Nuyles among others.

Here we try to break down each team’s “Fajardo Stoppers” going into the 2013-2014 PBA Philippine Cup wherein the Cebuano giant is expected to further solidify his claim to big man greatness.

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: Mixers' Reign

You reach, I teach
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

The San Mig Coffee Mixers have won their 2nd championship under the still young Tim Cone Era after surviving Game 7 of the PBA Governor's Cup Finals versus the Petron Blaze Boosters. When the game was at its closest and nerve-wracking, the Mixers simply buckled down to work while the mighty Boosters began to come undone.

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.

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.

Certified: Arwind Santos, PBA MVP

Game recognize game
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

I done kept it real from the jump
Living at my mama's house we'd argue every mornin'
Nigga, I was trying to get it on my own
Working all night, traffic on the way home
And my uncle calling me like "Where ya at?
I gave you the keys told ya bring it right back"
Nigga, I just think it's funny how it goes
Now I'm on the road, half a million for a show

- Started from the bottom, Drake

The odd jobs, countless afternoons and evenings spent in minor basketball leagues playing on pavement where hustling for the basketball means a sure chipped tooth, scraped knees and a boat load of cheap elbow shots to the mid section—all that has come to this moment.

When the Petron Blaze Boosters’ Arwind Santos was hailed as PBA Most Valuable Player, fans were divided. Some cheered while others jeered. Other names were thrown around with their own merits and arguments. Some enjoyed a better season than Santos, some put up eye-popping stat-lines that would solidify their claim. Hell, some would even argue that Santos’ best seasons came in the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011.

But none of them can lay claim to having done the same things, at a very high level, as Santos who has proven himself worthy of being an MVP frontrunner since his 2006 rookie season.

Rise of the Kraken

The Kraken's just begun
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Born of deep sea legend, the Kraken surveys his newfound domain where all are prey, where he is king. He stands tall, constantly making a mockery of those who dare defy his rule. This is a new era; this is the time for beasts and monsters.

But to the Kraken, they all bow.

The Petron Blaze Boosters’ 6”11, 269 lbs giant rookie Junemar Fajardo might have started his pro career on an uneven note no thanks to a serious lower body injury that required surgery, but there’s no question that he is here and that he is, unlike his moniker-namesake, for real.

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.

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).

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

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.

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.

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.

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.