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.

Drama hits Ginebra

Photo courtesy of Yahoo.Ph

What a strange way for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel to start their PBA Governor's Cup campaign.

First was the unseen retirement of one of our all-time favorites, Rudy Hatfield. Not only did the team lose one of its veteran anchors, it lost one of its better low post defenders with Hatfield choosing to close one of the more impressive 14-year careers this side of Philippine basketball.

And because we're talking about the league's most popular ball club here, the drama didn't end there. After coming off a surprise Commissioner's Cup Finals runner-up finish, head coach Alfrancis Chua opted to resign for "personal reasons" which many insiders believe was caused by all the coaching rigodon Ginebra and its owning San Miguel Corporation family did the last few weeks.