More than just Racal

RAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH
(Photo credit: PBA.Inquirer.net)

Do not get us wrong, the Alaska Aces' rookie small forward Kevin Racal has been downright awesome in their last two victories in the ongoing PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals. From not being able to get any floor time to averaging 27 minutes in the two games that he as played, Racal has filled a much-needed role for the Aces in their championship bout versus the Rain or Shine Elastopainters.

But it is not just Racal.

It is the entire team that has put in the work. Sure, newly-crowned Best Player of the Conference Calvin Abueva's numbers have risen (his rebounding numbers have grown in the last three games of the Finals), but it is the Aces' overall tenacity and commitment to playing with energy and focus that has helped them to force a 3-2 count in the Best of Seven series.

The question now is, can they force a 3-3- tie?

PBA CC Finals: 3 Alaska vs 5 Rain or Shine

#IndieWars
(Photo: GMAnews.tv)

If the PBA were the WWE, then this match-up would be the equivalent of when Daniel Bryan finally FINALLY (and we think that's the only time they really went at it for a title) squared off with CM Punk for the heavyweight title in Over The Limit 2012. They are the Internet, Indie-darlings; the ones that "couldn’t really fill up a room;" the ones that only purists would truly love and appreciate for who they are and what they do in the ring.

Ladies and gentlemen the PBA gives to you, the Alaska Aces versus the Rain or Shine Elastopainters.

Finally, a PBA Finals that (hopefully) spares us from charges of game-fixing, ref-magic and the league being “scripted.” Both teams are widely recognized as almost impartial, having no affiliation with either the San Miguel (San Miguel, Ginebra, Star) or MVP (TNT, Meralco, NLEX) blocs. They also have little to no weight, when it comes to referees allegedly calling games in their favor. Hell, these two teams are the ones who usually find themselves on the receiving side of the shorter end of the stick if you will, so there.

No drama, just basketball.

PBA CC SF: 1 San Miguel vs 5 Rain or Shine

Grudge Match
(Photo credit: Spin.Ph)

In a grudge match of the PBA Philippine Cup Semifinals, San Miguel will need to overcome bullish Rain or Shine once again if they are looking to continue their Grand Slam bid. The only problem here is, they are facing a team that appears to have found a wide body, literally, to even out the playing field.

Oh, and that SMB's 2x PBA MVP Junemar Fajardo is coming off an injury (caused by RoS' Jireh Ibanes in that same Semis match-up mentioned above).

So here is what we know: RoS beat SMB in the eliminations thanks to then import Mo Charlo's 35 points and 13 rebounds debut. It was also a close 108-105 match, which could've easily been in favor of SMB had Fajardo been in the shape that he is in now (still not 100%, but definitely getting there).

In that match SMB's Tyler Wilkerson posted 33 and 10, Marcio Lassiter and Alex Cabagnot provided 18 a piece and Chris Ross had 12. On the flip side, it was JayR Quinahan with 15, Chris Tiu and Maverick Ahanmisi with 13 each and Jeff Chan with 12-- basically, typical RoS stats with just about everyone who saw action scoring a point or two.

So how does SMB beat RoS?

PBA CC Playoffs: 4 Ginebra vs 5 Rain or Shine

RISE
(Photo credit: PBA.inquirer.net)

This is going to be a slobber-knocker.

Rain or Shine, Yeng Guiao, Beau Belga-- they are all ghosts of Ginebra's colorful past. Their physical, bully-ball style, the psy-war that almost, always unnerves Ginebra's towering futures Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar, the way RoS just doesn't really give a rat's ass on how dirty you think they are playing, for as long as they get the victory.

That is how Ginebra basketball was played during Robert Jaworski, Sr.'s reign. That was how Pinoy basketball was played by all back in the day: down and dirty. Nothing fancy, just ugly and brutal.

"Kung ayaw mo masaktan, mag chess ka na lang."

Thoughts on Ivan the Terrible

Photo credit to PBA.Inquirer.net

“The last straw that broke the camel’s back.”

That is all we can say about the polarizing PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa’s decision to fine Tropang TNT import Ivan Johnson Php 250,000 and ban him from the league, for life.

Let us try to figure this one out bit by bit. Johnson was ejected in the first half of yesterday’s match versus sister team Meralco, whose resident enforcers were probably given the greenlight to get chippy with him (Kelly Nabong and Bryan Faundo were involved, go figure) based on his history of being temperamental. He was ejected, and somehow Narvasa got in his way as he exited the premises so he decided to hurl a few expletives at the league commissioner.

A tale of two semifinals

Surprise X-factor for Aces
(Photo credit to PBA.Inquirer.net)

You will have to excuse us at some point if we are unable to post entries about the must-see semifinals matches: Globalport vs Alaska and San Miguel vs Rain or Shine. How can we, when both series have proven to be quite riveting and entertaining thus far while also being played consecutively?

Hindi mo pa na-aabsorb yung nangyari dun sa isang series, maglalaro na yung sa kabila.

Honestly, we feel that they could space the games a bit more, by a day even. But then we understand that the PBA is probably rushing the schedule a bit to hopefully fit in their Gilas-related efforts. That being said, here are a few notes that we have taken from both match-ups.

Alaska vs Globalport

- Alaska will let Terrence Romeo have fun, because they recognize that when his shots are not falling he will force the action and alienate his teammates completely

New Year’s Resolutions and Wishes

Season's greetings!
(Photo credit to Inquirer.net)

Happy New Year everyone! Hope that you are all safe and happy (with all ten digits on your hands). Here is our fantasy-list of resolutions/ wishes for all 12 PBA teams moving forward:

Alaska Aces – let the kids play!
For a team that plays with so much hustle and tenacity, we have always admired the Aces for still being able to hold on to that overall team discipline both on and off the court. They are the PBA’s greatest asset IMHO, and a franchise that is worth emulating from coach to player. This being said, we would like to see less of the aging Tony dela Cruz and more of Rome dela Rosa and Kevin Racal please.

Break out!

Much improved.
(Photo credit to PBA.Inquirer.net)

We have always paid more attention to the PBA's first and opening conference, the Philippine (All Filipino) Cup more than the other two if only because it is the true showcase of Filipino basketball talent and skill on the professional level. Once the imports come into play in the next two conferences, a lot of our guys are pushed aside in favor of those admittedly amazing athletic specimens most of whom have played the sport on an entirely different level from our homegrown guys.

Now that the PBA Philippine Cup is nearing its conclusion, please allow us to praise some of the guys who outdid themselves this conference. It would be quite easy to talk about the Junemar Fajardos, Greg Slaughters and Jayson Castros, so let us turn the spotlight to the unheralded players who put up (near) superstar numbers shall we? The jury is out if the guys that we will mention below will be able to carry over their success once the foreign reinforcements arrive so this shout out piece is probably the best that we could do for them at the moment.

1. Sean Anthony, SF/PF, NLEX
20ppg 12rpg 3apg
What a conference has it been for the returning Road Warrior. Anthony enjoyed a career conference through sheer hard-work and tenacity. The offense wasn't exactly built around him but rather, he was just outworking everyone for rebounds, possessions and what not. You could say that in a way, he looked like what Meralco hopes Cliff Hodge would be-- a nicer, TV friendly Calvin Abueva (minus the guard skills of course, but who knows, if Anthony puts his head into it anything is possible right?).

PBAPC SF: 2 San Miguel vs 3 Rain or Shine

On the path to greatness
(Photo credit to PBA.Inquirer.net)

This semifinals encounter my friends, will not be for the weak of heart. While the other series between the Alaska Aces and GlobalPort Batang Pier will probably be high octane and flashy, this one will be for the grown-ups. Think of that series as John Cena, and this one as Brock Lesnar. Spice Girls and Mocha Girls. Ana Roces and Rosanna Roces.

You get the picture right?

Okay, from our perspective the only way for RoS to win versus SMB is for a repeat of their gameplan in the Elimination round which was to have their bigs play outside, their smalls, inside. It didn't matter to RoS head coach Yeng Guiao if Beau Belga, Raymond Almazan and JayR Quinahan were missing from deep. All that matters was that Junemar Fajardo kept over extending himself all the way to the outside leaving Arwind Santos all by his lonesome in protecting the paint versus RoS' big-bodied guards Jericho Cruz and Maverick Ahanmisi.

PBAPC QF2: 3 Rain or Shine vs 6 Talk n Text

Baptism of Fire for Troy and Mo
(Photo credit to PBA.Inquirer.net)

Here we go again.

The Rain or Shine Elastopainters, perennial contenders ever since Yeng Guiao took over the coaching reins, are headed for a collision course with forever tormentors Talk’n’Text Tropang Texters in the 2nd phase of the PBA Philippine Cup Quarterfinals . We say that, because even before these two teams met in last season’s seven-game PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals thriller (which the Texters won at the expense , they have already been running right smack at one another with  the Elastopainters always on the losing end.

We are RoS fans, so we know the history. For as long as Guiao has made RoS “perennial contenders,” the door is almost always closed on them if TnT happens to be in their way—be it in the Finals, Semis or Quarters. In LOTR parlance, think of Tnt as Gandalf saying “YOU SHALL NOT PASS!”

Over and over and over and over again.

2015 PBA Philippine Cup: Rookie Report Card

One guy's been delivering, the other subpar
(Photo credit to Spin.ph)

Before things start to get too crazy in the PBA Philippine Cup Playoffs, here is our "Report Card" on the 2015 PBA Draft 1st rounders. With teams like Meralco and Mahindra now out of contention, we feel that now is the best time to come up with such since who knows what roles the rooks will play once the imports come in for the next two conferences (history says that they will probably and most likely enjoy reduced roles).

Special mention goes out to Mahinda's Bradwyn Guinto (24mpg 9ppg 9rpg) and NLEX's Simon Enciso (26mpg 8ppg 2rpg 3apg) for basically playing their way into their respective team's rotation and showing that while they were picked late (both 2nd rounders), hard work is always rewarded even in a league chockfull of talent and stars.

Oh, and Rain or Shine's Don Trollano is Mr. YOLO. God bless him.


12. Josan Nimes, SF, Rain or Shine
Stats: 9mpg 3ppg 1rpg 1apg

Nimes has legitimate Grade A basketball IQ, he knows when and where to pass, how to position himself on defense and actually plays a lot like a veteran PG. What is lacking at the moment is some aggressiveness, he hasn't shown a willingness to hit and get hit and most often is happy just creating plays for others. Kumbaga, nahihiya pa.

Grade: C

PBAPC16 QF: 3 Rain or Shine vs 10 Blackwater

Photo credit to PBA.Inquirer.net

Talk about having to go through a Rite of Passage for the Blackwater Elite: though they just earned their first playoff appearance in their young franchise history, they find themselves with a twice-to-beat disadvantage versus perennial title contenders, the Rain or Shine Elastopainters.

Elite head coach Leo Isaac will need to squeeze all he can from main guys Carlo Lastimosa (23mpg 16ppg 3rpg 2apg), JP Erram (26mpg 12ppg 9rpg), Art dela Cruz (22mpg 11ppg 4rpg), Reil Cervantes (19mpg 9ppg 3rpg) and whoever among Raphy Reyes, Keith Agovida and Jason Melano are up to the challenge of locking horns with a physical RoS group.

Crown Jewel

Kumpyansa goes a long way
(Photo credit to the owner)

Credit Rain or Shine Elastopainters' head coach for turning another almost lost PBA career around.

He did it for the likes of Beau Belga and JayR Quinahan who pre-RoS were surely on their way out of the PBA as teams were looking for mobile, athletic bigs. He had a hand in the development of now legit PBA household names Cyrus Baguio, Larry Fonacier and Jeffrei Chan, turning them from good to great while other players of their caliber (the Baguio types: Val Acuna and PJ Cabahug, the Chan/Fonacier: John Wilson, Jimbo Aquino are dealing with life being in and out of the league/ glued to the bench).

Add RoS' new resident big man, 6"5 Jewel Ponferada, to the list.

The Right Mix

RoS is Jericho
(Photo credit to the owner)

Don't look now, but the Rain or Shine Elastopainters are starting to look every bit like PBA Philippine Cup Finals favorites even minus credited ace player Paul Lee.

Currently sitting pretty with a 4 wins versus 1 loss record (which could have easily been a clean slate had it not been for Global Port Batang Pier's rising phenom Stanley Pringle's buzzer-beating lay-up), Yeng Guiao's boys are playing excellent team basketball which comes at opponents in waves. Previously, RoS always had a problem getting into a rhythm or sustaining leads thanks to their ever-changing rotations. One quarter they are ahead, next, guys look lost waiting for whoever feels like taking charge or is hot.

Now?

They are just working together and covering for one another, with nary a soul putting on a look of disgust whenever a guy opts for a heat check unlike other teams.

Take the shot if it is there. The RoS guys actually get into one another's ears only when an open player opts to pass instead of taking the shot. They are that comfy and at ease as a unit, even towards the rookies.

Trade reaction: Jervy Cruz to Ginebra

Third team after RoS
--all in one conference!
(Photo credit to the owner)

First thing is first, who is really in control?

Is it Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone, plucked from right under the noses of STAR Hotshots' management to right all things wrong with the league's most popular ballclub? Or is it team manager slash San Miguel Sports Director slash "I can get you banned indefinitely by the league" slash whatever he is into these days Alfrancis Chua?

Because from where we are seated, trading Rodney Brondial and a future pick for Barako Bull Energy Cola's Jervy Cruz does not look like much of a Tim Cone move.

Brondial is 24 years of age and a true 6"5, 210 lbs. banger who loves to gobble up rebounds be it on the offensive or defensive end. On the other side, Cruz is a 29-year-old former UAAP MVP who has struggled to find a niche in the pros and generously listed at 6"5 (more 6"3-6"4) and 220 lbs. If you take Cruz' offense (and collegiate accomplishments), then sure, he's the better player. But we doubt that he was brought in for his low post moves, since Ginebra is clearly dead set on running every single play through starters 6"9 Japeth Aguilar and 7"0 Greg Slaughter.

But Brondial has a lot of upside to him, despite playing limited minutes for Ginebra his entire time there.

Back to the one we love

The PBA is BACK!
WOW! Fantastic baby.
(Photo credit to the owner)

Though we were definitely upset over all the drama that still, fortunately, led to a silver medal finish for our Gilas 3, there is no point in denying that we will always be fans of the Philippine Basketball Association by default.

One; because we do not really see another Metropolitan Basketball Association rising out of the woodwork (until of course either Team San Miguel or Team Manny V Pangilinan pulls all of their teams out of the Asia's first basketball league), and two; because Filipinos in general are a fickle, forgiving lot (we are generalizing here, because this basically explains how and why troublemakers and borderline idiots get seats in the government).

So yes, we forgive you PBA for the Gilas 3 drama. But only because we are left with no other alternative (at the moment, once the NBA starts holding Global Games in Manila then all bets are off). Now that you've named a 17-man pool for the Olympic Qualifiers, we kinda, sorta, hate you guys less. We still hate some of the guys in charge, but not as much as before.

And we will forgive you for making up-and-coming emcee Abra look like a complete tool last Wednesday.

On to STAR vs Rain or Shine, NLEX vs Blackwater and Alaska vs Talk'n'Text then.

The PBA is BACK!

All eyes on me

Steal of the 2015 PBA Draft or bust?
(Photo credit to the owner)

With the PBA Philippine Cup (and season) set to open this Wednesday, here is a list of who we feel should be on your radar in terms of delivering "must see TV." We are not simply talking about our picks for any individual awards at conference's end. We are talking about guys who already have storylines written for them, going into the season.

*Special mention* Roi Sumang, GlobalPort Batang Pier
If only because this guy was initially expected to be in the first round of the 2015 PBA Draft, all eyes would probably be on Sumang and how he'll fit in 1) GlobalPort and 2) the PBA. Will he get his minutes on the floor and be allowed to score? Or will he be asked to defer to his veteran teammates, who are also scorers by trade (Joseph Yeo, Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle) and "learn" the ropes of being a role player?

10. James Yap, STAR Hotshots
Was Yap shackled by the Triangle, as most would believe, or is he simply on a slow decline owing to all the basketball mileage? Is STAR still his team, or are they moving to another direction with Mark Barocca and Ian Sangalang?

9. Aldrech Ramos, Mahindra Enforcers
Ramos is to basketball as Myrtle is to local showbiz. Whoever this guy's manager is should get a raise. He's everywhere. EVERY FREAKING WHERE. We haven't seen anything from him that would convince us that he's a solid role player at least, and yet we keep hearing all the hype and hoopla from wherever. Hell, he even made it to the Gilas 3 - Jones Cup selection for crying out loud. Now that he is on a bad team, with no one to compete minutes with (unless Coach Manny Pacquiao  Chito Victolero uses him at the 4 to backup Nino Canaleta), we expect to see at least some semblance of a grown man's game to Ramos this season.

Make or break

"Paul, sa ... maganda daw yung perks"
(Photo credit to the woner)

There is a storm coming.

Allow us to speak on a more personal level, being Rain or Shine Elastopainters fans and all since the Yeng Guiao era (established in 2011). Paul Lee is on the final year of his two-year contract extension. We saw how his manager openly batted that another one of his wards, Roi Sumang, be picked by RoS if only to have them play together buddy-ball style. RoS didn't. They passed on it. They picked an insurance policy in case Lee takes his talents elsewhere in 3rd overall pick Maverick Ahanmisi. Sumang? Pass. Pass. Pass.

Then, RoS barred Lee from playing for Gilas 3.

Don't think that that little incident is all water under the bridge now.

Jeffrei Chan, another Gilas player, was also not allowed to suit up.

Something's amiss.

Trade reaction: Arana to SMB, Pascual to Barako, 2016 2nd round pick to RoS

Underrated
(Photo credit to the owner)

Being a true blooded Rain or Shine fan (and a proud La Sallian for about the bulk of my life in the academe), this one stings quite a bit since Ryan Arana has always been a favorite of mine. Drafted 12th overall in the 2nd round of the 2007 PBA Draft, Arana has found a niche in the PBA even before Coach Yeng Guiao introduced his gung-ho style to the team (which all but liberated Arana).

Here's how the most recent PBA deal went:

Thoughts on RoS' 2015 PBA Draft

Yung itsurang "uhm, sure kayo? Touch move?"
(Photo credit to the owner)

Admittedly, we are Rain or Shine Elastopainters fans.

We never hid it from anyone, though we do try our very best to remain objective anytime we get into the PBA Playoffs (ilista mo na yan!)/ Finals (forever bridesmaids). So this is basically our way of sharing with everyone here, our thought-process and feeling during the 2015 PBA Draft which we monitored online from overseas.

That's how much we love RoS, basketball and the PBA.

Yung tipong nagnanakaw kami ng tingin sa ibang window, kunwari nagta-type o may inaaral habang asa gitna ng office hours, tapos yung amo namin andun lang sa kabilang side ng kwarto patingin tingin kung nag bib0usy-busyhan lang kami o full on petiks ba.

Let's start with our first round draft pick, 3rd overall: MAVERICK AHANMISI