PBA GovCup SF: Ginebra vs Northport

At this point, I'm just surprised that The Dean
hasn't given him a moniker yet.
(Photo credit: Sports.inquirer.net)

Talk about Never-say-die.

On one hand we've got the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, a powerhouse team on paper that continues to live up (or down, depending on which Kabarangay you're asking) to its glorious reputation. The team finished the PBA Governor's Cup as the 4th seed, starting a bit slow before turning it up in its last few games. On the other, you've got the Northport Batang Pier which was arguably on its way to packing its bags this conference following the injury to prized rookie point guard Robert Bolick before somehow landing national skipper Christian Standhinger (and prior to that, the trade that sent its other star guard-- Stanley Pringle to, well, Ginebra).

So we know what we're going to get with Ginebra. The offense runs through super import Justin Brownlee, and whenever he's around (like Meralco and Allen Durham), every thing just falls into place. Only, it was pretty obvious that they had a bit of a rough patch in trying to balance out the offense between Brownlee and Pringle. After those two guys, there's Japeth Aguilar, L.A. Tenorio, and a bit of Scottie Thompson.



Which brings our attention to the 8th seeded North Port. They recently made waves for that gruelling triple overtime upset of the 1st seed NLEX Road Warriors. Standhardinger is turning a lot of heads and making his case for Best Player of the Conference despite the fact that he was only recently traded to North Port by San Miguel. Their import, Michael Qualls, can do a little bit of everything and has the speed, length and athleticism to cover positions 3-5 in the PBA setting. Then there's the energizer bunny known as Sean Anthony, who, IMHO, is a modern day Rudy Hatfield.

This is going to be fun. The onus will be on who can dictate tempo from the get go. Also, if Ginebra can use its size to the hilt to really put the pressure on North Port with their height in the paint. The problem here is, North Port has the bigs, the bruising, elbows-out kind, that their Ginebra counterparts' are "allergic" to.

L.A. Tenorio vs. Nico Elorde
The pressure will be on Tenorio to once again lead Ginebra to victory. But it won't be easy versus Elorde, who is proving to be quite the tough defender who wears opponents down by simply sticking to them like a shadow.

Stanley Pringle vs Kevin Ferrer
Ferrer will get on Pringle's nerves in one of these games. But Pringle will need to make his presence felt enough for Brownlee and the rest to be able to operate freely and not be doubled. On paper, North Port has a few other big/ long guys like Sol Mercado and Paolo Taha to throw at Pringle just to give him different looks.

Scottie Thompson vs Sean Anthony
As good as Thompson has been for Ginebra as a relentless junkyard dog type, he's going to probably find himself matched-up against a mirror image in Anthony (if Coach Pido doesn't waste Anthony on Brownlee). Anthony can do just about everything Thompson does for Ginebra, only, he's bigger and has better range.

Justin Brownlee vs Michael Qualls
The thing about Brownlee that we've always found impressive is that, and maybe it's because he's been wearing the red, white and yellow for so long, he's no longer just a "scorer."

Japeth Aguilar vs Christian Standhardinger
We love Aguilar like the next guy, and have grown to appreciate what he brings to the Ginebra cause. But Standhardinger is cut from an old school, no excuses, no b.s. kind of cloth that every single Ginebra fan has been wanting to see from their own collection of bigs (everyone from Aguilar to Joe DeVance to Greg Slaughter). The kind of player who, as we say in Filipino, "nakikipagpalitan ng mukha" just to score a basket/ grab a rebound/ make a play. Sure, CSH flops and flails, but he also plays with a lot of passion and purpose. This isn't as simple as when Ginebra guards the 5x PBA MVP Junemar Fajardo with Slaughter (bigger) or Aguilar (longer) as he tries to back them up. CSH forces the issue and often gets those guarding him in foul trouble by simply bulldozing his way inside. Major problem.

Prediction: Ginebra is going to be in a lot of trouble. A team that doesn't always appear to be playing at 100%, going up against a team that is hungry and has a lot of burning desire to prove their critics wrong. Should Ginebra go big? They have the tools for it, but chances are North Port steps on the gas and leaves Slaughter et. al. behind. Also, it takes away Thompson who does a lot of things for Ginebra.

X-factor: Pick any one of the ex-Ginebra guys who are all going into this match-up with huge chips on their shoulders. Kevin Ferrer might sink a few treys. Jervy Cruz is going to throw some elbows.

Gut feel? North Port. But my brain says Ginebra.

Your thoughts? @kilikilishot on Twitter

Trade rxn: Too many to mention

When NLEX head coach Yeng Guiao said that he was considering trading a few players to form the most competitive team possible; he damn well meant every single word.

The fiery head coach and his team figured in several trades that took place during the PBA All Star break that involved four other squads. There were some surprises-- considering the names that were included, and here we try our very best to make sense out of the Guiao-manufactured madness.

Meralco: Garvo Lanete
The Bolts decided to let go of the promising Grey (who kept opening eyes with his efficient play despite the obvious lack of hype and athleticism) to acquire former Gilas Cadet hand Lanete. Lanete comes in to possibly re-start his amateurs superstar partnership with the Bolts' lead point guard Baser Amer who is having a breakout in the PBA Commissioner's Cup. The move will also allow the Bolts to focus on rookie Ed Daquioag as their premier slasher/ creator coming off the bench, with Amer and Lanete as their lead 1-2 players from here on out.
Grade: B

Road rage

Time to man up.
(Photo credit: Spin.ph)

We don't know about you, but it would be wise to be on a "Yeng Guiao watch" from here on out.

The NLEX Road Warriors are still winless in the ongoing PBA Commissioner's Cup despite Guiao's old hand Wayne Chism's stellar numbers (39mpg 26ppg 17rpg 2apg) all across the boards. Last conference, we gave NLEX a pass because it was Guiao's first with the team. Now, well, we aren't really seeing any improvements.

Hell, they seem to have gotten worse.

Off the track

Still a G
(PBA.Inquirer.net)

Someone please nudge NLEX Road Warriors head coach Boyet Fernandez awake, as he is continuously driving the team bus aimlessly in circles.

How else can you explain the team's current PBA Commissioner's Cup 5 wins - 5 losses predicament, despite the presence of a legitimate NBA offensive talent in import Al Thornton (who is really, a one-legged scoring dynamo), revived play of 6"10 former PBA MVP Asi Taulava and the emerging Sean Anthony? The Philippine Cup was no different, and even last season: NLEX would look like a legitimate powerhouse team with the right balance of veterans and young guns one day, and look like a team that is just trying to make it through another respectable season.

No rings, just some wins to go with some losses.

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?).

The road so far

How long can The Rock carry NLEX
(Photo credit to the owner)

It is never easy being the youngest in the family: sure, you get spoiled from time to time being, literally, the "new kid in town" but it also means that you are probably getting a lot of hand-me-downs from your older brother/s or sister/s. We cannot speak for the affluent, but for us middle to low class citizens, that means having to deal with wearing your big brother's signature basketball shoes for the majority of your basketball-formation age.

Until of course you actually can ball OR is old enough to really throw a huge selfish fit that your parents have no choice but to buy you your own kicks.

Well, that is what Coach Boyet Fernandez and his NLEX Road Warriors had to deal with their first time out in the PBA. They were given a broken down team, with spare parts coming by way of sister teams Talk'n'Text and Meralco, and really did not stand a modicum of a chance at competing fairly against the powerhouse teams.

This season however, Coach Boyet is making it work (currently with a 4 wins and 5 losses card) thanks to Sean Anthony (35mpg 19ppg 13rpg 4apg) and the ageless Asi Taulava (33mpg 20ppg 13rpg 2apg) leading the way. Both of whom could be called as "hand-me-downs" if you will, but don't tell them that. Hell, you could even say that their old teams would probably want them back in the fold in some manner (both TNT and Meralco could use a lot of Taulava, even Anthony)

The long and winding road

How far can Asi take NLEX?
(Photo credit to the owner)

While their elders, Talk'n'Text and Meralco, enjoy having youthful bigs to continue building their foundations around, head coach Boyet Fernandez and his NLEX Road Warriors find themselves stuck in the mud with aging frontliners who are an injury away from retirement.

Sure, Asi Taulava (fresh from another tour of duty with Gilas 3) and Enrico Villanueva are still fearsome names and that Asi has enjoyed a renaissance of sorts the last three seasons, but can a team really pin their hopes on a 40+ year old with limited low post offense? How about Villanueva? He hasn't been the same since suffering an injury after a stint with Barako Bull and has played more like a TV-friendly version of 90s role player Chris Bolado than the "Raging Bull" we once knew.

These proud veterans are backed by Rob Reyes, Eric Camson, Mark Borboran and Jeckster Apinan. They are a solid, role-playing bunch, but not in the same area as TNT's Moala Tautuaa and Troy Rosario, and Meralco's returning Rabeh Al Hussaini.

Definitely nowhere near.

Wired towards the future

How many solid point guards
do you have as back-up, Cool Cat?
(Photo credit Sports5.ph)

Since its inception in 2010 after buying out the Santa Lucia Realty franchise, the Meralco Bolts have always been known or regarded to as Manny V. Pangilinan's "other PBA team." They are not as decorated as sister team Talk'n'Text Tropang Texters, they hardly make deep playoff runs despite being given some TNT pieces to work with (at one time or another: Mac Cardona, Asi Taulava, Marlou Aquino, and now Jared Dillinger and Gary David). And even when they managed to snag a legitimate PBA grand slam coach in Norman Black for this season, it was widely received as Black's demotion for not continuing in Chot Reyes' TNT's championship ways, than the Bolts moving in the right direction.

Well, after Season 1 of the "Black Magic" Era, we can all say that they were wrong.

It wasn't a demotion for Black, it was a challenge. A new project wherein he can build the foundations of a competitive basketball team that plays the right way. Those who paid enough attention to the Bolts would tell you that they are no longer the team of yesteryears' and that they are playing true to who they are, with a definitive character or team identity.

PBA GC QF: (2) San Miguel vs (7) Meralco

Meralco needs another vintage performance
from El Granada to win
(Photo credits Sports5)

"Oh, so you helped oust your sister team? You better make damn sure you win."

Fantasy monologue from Manny V. Pangilinan to his Meralco Bolts team, which lost to Kia and helped close the door on sister team's Talk'n'Text Tropang Texters chances of making the Playoffs.

Uh-oh.

They won against San Miguel, 106-95 with Andre Emmet exploding for 31 points and 11 rebounds plus the aide of a vintage Gary David performance with 23 markers. That being said, AZ Reid was not at his very best (sick), while Junemar Fajardo was left all by his lonesome by his local brethren.

Now?

Fajardo is playing like he always does. Reid is back to being Mr. A to Z. The rest of the crew are delivering, namely Marcio Lassiter and Alex Cabagnot. This Beermen, which finished 2nd overall, look like the same Beermen squad that won the PBA Philippine Cup (only with Reid cast in the Arwind Santos role).

Can the Bolts beat the Beermen?

The Cinderella Man

Air21's Cinderella Man
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

If you were to tell us at the start of the PBA Commissioner's Cup that the Air21 Express would make a run to the PBA Finals, we'd just give you a dismissive look. Or whatever counts as one on whatever social media platform.

More so if you were to tell us that it would be journeyman Sean Anthony, leading the Express' to glory. Then we'd probably not give you the time of day. At all.

Nothing against the career "8 points, 5 rebounds in 23 minutes" averaging, energetic small/power forward, but he has always been more of what former PBA player and UAAP Most Valuable Player Rich Alvarez should've been had he opted to get stronger for the pros and maybe address some facets of his game.

DareDevil on the move, but Ronjay biggest steal

Finally an end to the dry spell.

The PBA teams are back in the limelight following a three-team trade that involves two legit 20 point scorers, a high post big man and energy/ rotation guys. And since we haven't really posted anything substantial the last few days, let's cut this intro short and proceed with the topic at hand:

Dillinger will electrify the Bolts...
... IF he gets back to 100%

Meralco Bolts
Jared Dillinger (SG/SF)
It's funny how the world of Philippine basketball works: languish as a confused player in an even more confused coach's rotation to start your professional career, still be good enough to be called for national team duties, put on a solid showing under a new head coach enough to earn a semi-starting gig, get in a freak accident and ultimately be sent packing to the "B" (sister) team.

Should Dillinger be able to come back from his injuries, then he'll start as the Bolts' go-to-small forward right away. Given resident franchise player Mark Cardona's recent struggles and so-so performances, Dillinger steps in as a legit offensive force who can play both inside and out. Defensively, Dillinger has been putting up a string of solid performances with Gilas Pilipinas and even over at TNT. We've been saying this since day one, Dillinger has more upside than our boy Gabe Norwood over at Rain or Shine as a high-scoring big guard who can play positions 1, 2 and 3.

Grade: A- (only if he comes back strong)

Swak sa lakas ang Barako Bull

Keep throwin' 'em 'bows Enrico

Better yet, "Oooohhh---sssSSsssWAHK! sa lakas ang BARAKO BOOOL. Swak sa lakas ang Barako Bull!"

Sorry, but the catchy jingle never fails to humor us as it does seem pretty apt for such a testosterone-laden product and basketball team. If you want Pinoy macho on the hardcourt, then look no further than the Barako Bull Energy Cola's intimidating frontline of Enrico Villanueva, Doug Kramer, Jondan Salvador, Mick Penissi and rookie Dave Marcelo. Throw in bloodhounds like Josh Urbiztondo, Ronald Tubid and Roger Yap, and you could pretty much overlook the on-and-off performances of arguably the team's best player (on a good, healthy day) "Dynamite" Danny Seigle. Oh, and nothing speaks Pinoy Macho more than head coach Junel Baculi's slick-back hairdo and 80s porn-moustache.

Powerade is the PBA's Team Die Another Day

Hi! My name is Sean Anthony.

For a minute there, the Barako Bull Energy looked like they were headed to another victory behind the efforts of a seemingly rejuvenated Danny Seigle (20 points in 25 minutes). Things were starting to go their way despite trailing most of the time-- Gary David was hurt, which pretty much meant that the Powerade Tigers' offense was supposed to go down the toilet right?

Wrong.

In yet another sickening display of half-assed effort, the Energy surrendered to the young Tigers who only had import Omar Sneed (24-15-8) to turn to in the second half. The JayR Quinahan doppleganger was making plays for his teammates, pretty much making a mockery of Don Allado's so-so defense and whichever power forward/ center was sent his way.

No sweep, Tigers alive anew

Tigers' rallying behind Sean Anthony's hustle

The Best Player of the Conference awardee, specially when playing in the PBA Finals, is usually jinxed by the very same award that praises his efforts and serves as the goat for his team.

Well, not in tonight's Game 4 of the high scoring and super tight series between the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters and Powerade Tigers, and definitely not with Gary "Bataan Bomber" David who scattered 35 points behind 11/12 free throws.

There's no other way around it. The Texters lost this one behind a half-assed, "back to his Marlou Aquino tendencies" effort from Ranidel de Ocampo. The KKS proclaimed "Doctor" scored 3 points the entire game and was out-hustled on all fronts by the double-double machine Doug Kramer and ageless Rommel Adducul.

Is it time for the Texters to panic?

Hardly. They played their worst game of the series and still only lost by 3 in a tight (and tied) ball game going into the fourth. Jayson Castro could've played much closer to the basket, while more effort should be squeezed out from the likes of de Ocampo and Jarred Dillinger (who was man handling Marcio Lassiter in the last two outings).

Can the Tigers claw their way back and force a Game 7?

The way things are going and how the series is being played (guard-heavy, with superstars feeding into their own respective egos and trading 3s) don't be surprised if the Tigers force a Game 6 (a 7th game would take us by surprise and would start a maddening rally for "benta" which the league doesn't need at the moment).

Again, we wonder why Texters coach Chot Reyes hasn't decided to take control of the chaos and commotion, ask his boys to play half court basketball and pound the rock with de Ocampo, Ali Peek and even garbage man Harvey Carey. Adducul is playing quite nice, ditto with Kramer, but once those two guys are caught in foul trouble, the Tigers' title hopes are over.

And, after going berserk in Game 3 and scoring 25 (albeit in a losing cause), Sean Anthony provides the sidekick scoring punch usually reserved for Lassiter with 19. At this point, only Kelly Williams can cancel this guy's hustle out. Asking de Ocampo to guard him is a little too much for the talented Caviteno-- who owns Anthony in the paint, but shouldn't be expected to chase Hatfiel 2.0 all over the court.