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.

Thanks for the memories

As per numerous reports, the Philippine Basketball Association and its fans are finally saying goodbye to the Barako Bull Energy Cola franchise.

This, after about near a decade of lopsided, shady trades and serving as conduit for mostly San Miguel Corporation-backed teams (San Miguel, Ginebra and Star). To say that we will finally be rid of the shady transactions with Barako's exit might be a bit too optimistic though, since business is still business in a league that has seen star players shipped to another for cash and under-the-table/ off-court agreements.

But hey, at least we got rid of the biggest culprit out there.

When was it? When they traded so many star players for next to nothing? For when they were truly given a chance to rebuild through the PBA Draft, they chose to spit on all of our faces and trade their first rounders away? When this team returned with an even shadier product that we honestly have not seen on the market, that was the end of it all. It was a farm team that owed so much to so many, from the outside looking in.

Last season, they made quite the impression as a bear competitive squad. Only for key guys to be traded. Denok Miranda had a stellar Philippine Cup before the mess that somehow sent him to GlobalPort, Alex Cabagnot back to San Miguel and Sol Mercado to Barako Bull. Then they acquired Joseph Yeo and Dylan Ababou at season's end and really made a run. Only for those guys to somehow lose minutes, ride the bench and be traded pre- this season. 

They say that the players didn't mind being dealt here and there or wearing that shameful red, yellow and black. As long as they were being paid on time for services rendered, it was all good.

But what about the younger players who want glory and fame? What about RR Garcia who deserves to be on a winning team given his stellar play and college resume? What about Mac Baracael? JC Intal?

These players deserve a shot at winning. Willie Wilson has worked so hard for so long, now putting up 20-20s, to be wasting his career away at some garbage team. 

Let us not confuse Barako Bull with Red Bull. Sure, Mr. George Chua is present for both teams, but the morals, the winning mindset and pride of being a competitive PBA franchise-- those traits separate the two Chua ballclubs.

Goodbye Barako and good riddance.

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

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.

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.

Blue collar approach

Just another day at the office
(Photo credit to the owner)

The Philippine Basketball Association is a showcase of Filipino basketball talent, skill and athleticism. It is a league wherein mere mortals are turned God-like, idolized by many and legends are formed. It rewards those who shine brightest, sure, but it also gives notice and praise to those who work in the shadows.

One look at the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup league statistics and you will be very surprised to see two non-household names making huge waves for their respective teams. On one side is the Mahindra Enforcers' Mark Yee (18mpg 12 ppg 10rpg) and on the other is Barako Bull Energy's Willie Wilson (36mpg 13ppg 10rpg). Both under-rated and definitely far from being part of their team's offensive sets. They will never really make the headlines (unless Yee opts to get his Hokage on again and use that special pwet ninjutsu of his), so please allow us this much Internet space to show them some of our basketball geek affection.

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!

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

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