DMND.

Calvin Abueva.

Calvin Abueva.

Some say the troubled Phoenix LPG Fuel Masters wingman is the embodiment of all things Pinoy old school basketball. Others argue that he is an irritant, an uneducated, unfiltered troublemaker who seeks and thrives in all of the media attention.

Currently, he is serving an indefinite suspension-- the longest in league history, since June 2019. PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial has gone on record several times to say that there's a 'to do list' for Abueva to be able to have his suspension lifted, with the Final decision still up to the board. 

There are those who wish for Abueva to be reinstated, if only to be able to provide a decent living for his family, given the length of the days that he has already served. There are those who wish for the league to kick Abueva out of the PBA altogether, to serve as an example for what not to do as a professional basketball player.  

Encore

#ThankYouJimmy

We could hear the trumpets blasting with the soulful musings of one Shawn Corey Carter spreading what is as close to ghetto gospel as possible on the microphone:

Now can I get an encore, do you want more/
Cookin’ raw with the Brooklyn Pinoy boy/
So for one last time I need y'all to roar/

Now what the hell are you waitin for/
After me, there shall be no more/
So for one last time, nigga Pinas make some noise/

Come next PBA season when the Meralco Bolts take the floor, they will no longer introduce one of our beloved players. The team will be playing minus 11-time PBA All Star, 1x PBA MVP, 6x champion and more importantly, Gilas captain, Jimmy Alapag who has chosen to retire after “unretiring” last January 2015.

The Revival

Calling the shots
(Photo credit: Inquirer.net)

We owe TNT Katropa head coach Jong Uichico an apology.

For a while there, when Coach Jong appeared to be running everything through Jayson Castro reminiscent of how his mentor Ron Jacobs rode “Da Bull” Nelson Asaytono in the late 90s at San Miguel, we started to believe that this guy was nothing more than a relic. A relic who insists on running outdated hero/ isolation plays in an ever-evolving sport of spread-out offenses and taller three-point specialists.

What made it even worse is that, he seemed to be changing the philosophies and culture of the very team that pioneered and mastered this new, Euro-style of play in the PBA.

Again, we owe him an apology.

Supernatural

Peerless.

We have simply run out of adjectives for TNT Katropa’s Jayson Castro at this point.

From averaging 32mpg, 19ppg 4rpg 4apg in the first two conferences of the PBA season, the FIBA Asia recognized “Best Point Guard in Asia” has gone absolutely berserk in the ongoing PBA Governor’s Cup with a 25mpg 23ppg 6rpg 8apg clip. Let those numbers sink in for a minute. Castro has been so good that he has helped his team go undefeated in four games despite the insipid play of import Mario Little.

Tried, tested... and waiting

AZ and Black Sakuragi
(Photo credit: GMAnetwork.com)

Welcome to PBA fandom limbo.

While we cannot fault the PBA for taking an extended break between conferences to help turn the spotlight on Gilas Pilipinas' FIBA Olympic Qualifiers' journey, we often catch ourselves wondering why the league couldn't just proceed with the Governor's Cup and maybe take a two-week break come FIBA time?

Pardon our selfishness, but isn't that why the imports (plus Asian imports) are there? To cover for the locals-- specially the ones on loan to Gilas?

Okay, okay. Sorry. Moving on.

PBA head coaches have opted to bring in old names to reinforce their teams, though only Marques Blakely (Star) and Arizona Reid (SMB) will suit up for their original teams.

PBA CC Playoffs: 3 Alaska vs 6 Tropang TNT

He's baaaaaack
(Photo credit: PBA.Inquirer.net)

We are in for a basketball classic.

Before we proceed, was there ever a need for the Alaska Aces to switch back to original import Robert Dozier, Jr. after his replacement Shane Edwards masterfully led them, technically, all the way up to the 3rd spot in the PBA Commissioner's Cup?

Well, Coach Alex Compton appears to think so as he chose to activate Dozier, Jr. in yesterday's game versus the NLEX Road Warriors. The Aces will rely mostly on the exploits of Calvin Abueva (28m/18p/8r/3a), Chris Banchero (25/9/4/1), RJ Jazul (25/11/3/2), Sonny Thoss (24/10/4/1) and Vic Manuel (21/14/5/1), since based on the NLEX game it appears that Dozier, Jr. will need maybe another game or two to really get back into the scheme of things.

The problem here is that, they are going to face the defending CC champions who could've easily been atop the standings had they not been hit with the Ivan Johnson drama early which almost put their campaign at risk. It took time for them to regroup around David Simon (37/24/16/3), but make no mistake, TNT is a lot better than their 6th seeding suggests.

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.

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.

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: 6 Talk n Text vs 7 NLEX

Photo credit to PBA.Inquirer.net

You know how it goes in the family when you are the youngest: if you want respect, you will have to earn it the hard way no matter how spoiled you appear to be. And the fastest way into obtaining that respect, is to somehow best your gifted older sibling who either comes home with a technicolor stamped arm for all the Stars and what not or trophies. Lots and lots of sports-related trophies.

This is where Coach Boyet Fernandez and his NLEX stands at the moment, finding themselves with a twice-to-beat disadvantage versus big brother Talk'n'Text. They have achieved little in the PBA so far and just when they were about to make a push for a deep playoff run, they are stuck having to duke it out early with the "family favorite."

Defiantly leading the charge for NLEX are Asi Taulava (33mpg 20ppg 12rpg) and Sean Anthony (35mpg 20ppg 12rpg 4apg), followed by the revived play of a healthy Jonas Villanueva (32mpg 11ppg 4rpg 4apg) and rookies Simon Enciso (26mpg 8ppg) and Kevin Alas (25mpg 8ppg 3rpg 2apg). There are games wherein Taulava and Anthony appear to be the only ones competing, but lately every one's been in a steady groove-- MacMac Cardona included.

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)

Troy 'n' Tautuaa

Good, but not great... yet.
(Photo credit to the owner)

One was hyped to be a dominant, beast-like of a well-traveled basketball player. A human-imagining of a raging bull gifted with size, speed and athleticism. The other was billed to be the second-coming of all the homegrown greats at his position, combining hustle with range and dexterity.

Two games in, we have yet to see the kind of impact that was expected of both men. Two games in, and we could dismiss all the hype right now and say that there is definitely room for improvement.

Maybe, a lot of it.

The 1st and 2nd overall picks of the 2015 PBA Draft, the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters 6"7 duo of Moala Tautuaa and Troy Rosario have been solid thus far though a bit unimpressive. For one, Tautuaa was already making headlines even before he made it known that he wanted to play in the PBA, strutting his slam dunking, beastly ways over at the ASEAN Basketball League. The transition should've been easier, since TNT was a team without a true center ever since Ali Peek opted to retire.

Tautuaa was supposed to be the answer.

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!

Young, wild and free

So this is Junemar's league, huh?
(Photo credit to the owner)

Just when you thought that the Talk'n'Text Tropang Texters needed a back-to-the-basket center to combat 2x PBA MVP Junemar Fajardo and champs San Miguel...

... they added a face-up, burly "center" who really plays more like a small forward in 6"7 Moala Tautuaa, another 6"7 rebounding sniper in Troy Rosario, and a 6"4 hard-nosed banger (who is arguably their best low post player outside of star Ranidel de Ocampo) in Larry Rodriguez.

Why play traditional when you can play position-less?

Let the madness ensue

Saan po yung biyaheng TNT?
(Photo credit to the owner)

Really, let it ensue. Let the madness that is the PBA pre-season wheeling and dealing commence!

Troy Rosario to Talk'n'Text, Kevin Alas to NLEX, Aldrech Ramos, Rob Reyes and Nino Canaleta to Mahindra

How can you not love this trade for TNT? They just landed this year's coveted 1st (Moala Tautuaa) and 2nd (Rosario) picks which basically ensures that they will remain a dominant force in the league for years to come. Don't hate on this so much if you happen to be anti-Team MVP, since this is basically the 2015 version of the 2010 mugging of Air21 wherein San Miguel basically and literally bought that year's 1st and 2nd picks-- Noy Baclao and Rabeh Al Hussaini. What goes around, comes around right? On the flip side, sister team NLEX will have to wait until sophomore Kevin Alas recovers from injury but once he does they should have one of the more exciting backcourts with Alas and rookie Garvo Lanete outside of GlobalPort's looming three-headed monster of Terrence Romeo, Stanley Pringle and Roi Sumang.

2015 PBA Draft - 1st round Grades

"Here's the ball rook, run with it"
(Photo credit to the owner)

While the mood was unceremoniously subdued by new PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa's announcement that no trades were to take place in the 2015 PBA Draft proceedings, it was still quite a haul for most PBA teams, the applicants and their followers.

Honestly, this year's draft made the most sense for all the teams involved since most went to address their immediate needs rather than just blindly bobbing for apples. A few surprises/highlights include the Sinag/ Gilas Cadet alumni being picked early, Coach Yeng Guiao's "we need a big/ wing but we'll draft a surprise PG pick anyway just to mess with you mock draft nerds," and above all-- Roi Sumang "dropping" all the way down into the 3rd round after being projected as a possible and legitimate first round talent.

Because the 2015 PBA Draft went all the way down to the 6th (!) round and we, admittedly, have little to no idea about some of the names chosen, we'll stick with handing out grades for the 1st round selections.

1. Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters - Moala Tautuaa
When Tautuaa opted to throw his hat into the PBA D-League last year in hopes of joining the 2015 PBA Draft, TNT basically moved some parts to ensure that they will be able to acquire his services (or Bobby Ray Parks, Jr.'s, who opted not to join). Looking at the 6"7 Fil-Tonggan, it's easy to understand why TNT would go for him at this spot after losing Ali Peek to retirement and now Kelly Williams to injury and Jay Washington to a trade. He looked pretty solid while playing in the ABL and D-League, he has the size, speed and strength to combat any PBA big man, 2x PBA MVP Junemar Fajardo included.
Grade: A

2015 PBA Draft Complete Results

Our heartfelt congratulations to the following amateur standouts who were selected in the recently concluded 2015 PBA Draft.

2015 PBA Draft 1st pick overall
Moala Tautuaa - Talk n Text
(Photo credit to the owner)

View the full list of draftees and which team they went to here:

Talk'n'Text Tropang Texters
1.1 Moala Tautuaa (PF)
3.9 Michole Sorela (C)
4.7 Joshua Cobillo (SG)
5.5 Emilian Vargas (SG)

Mahindra Enforcers 
1.2 Troy Rosario (PF)
2.2 Bradwyn Guinto (C)
3.2 Leodaniel de Vera (SF)
4.2 Michael Vincent DiGregorio (SG)
5.2 Alexander Austria (SG)

Small moves, new beginnings

Still waiting for Jervy to live up
to his Baby Patrimonio potential
(Photo credit to the owner)

Finally, a couple of PBA off-season deals that we could write about!

Who would've thought that it would be the GlobalPort Batang Pier squad of Boss Mikee Romero doing all the wheeling and dealing off/ pre-season? And no, it's not to serve at any of the two giant corporation's pleasure even but to actually try and continue building a legitimate darkhorse contender for the coming season.

There are rumors however that this is only the beginning, and that more trades will follow suit. No worries, the more trades and transactions there are going into next week's 2015 PBA Draft, the more copies we can write, rave and rant about!

Tuloy ang ligaya kahit off-season!

Jervy Cruz to GlobalPort, Jewel Ponferada + 2015 PBA Draft 2nd round pick to Rain or Shine

Oh Captain, Our Captain

The Mighty Mouse Returns
(Photo credit: Sports5.ph)

Even with news of his "un-retirement" making most of the local sports headlines, we will remain adamant  in our belief that there is not a single thing that Jimmy Alapag, retired Talk'n'Text Tropang Texter and soon to be Meralco Bolts point guard for 2015-2016, could ever do that would change our opinion of him as being one of the best point guards in the history of Philippine basketball.

He could slit a little puppy's throat in front of a bunch of toddlers, right now, and we'll still be like: "still one of the best point guards in the history of Philippine basketball" (although we sincerely hope that Alapag doesn't get any ideas with us saying that BTW).

So why did Alapag decide to unretire and lace up his sneakers after all the ceremonies and festivities January of this year? Why on earth would you give up a managerial position, to lead one of the league's best teams that require little to no rebuilding at the moment, to go back and be "one of the boys?"