PBA Bubble Season Awards Reaction

Once again, hats off to the PBA and everyone who was involved in bringing back the league during the pandemic to help inspire and really give fans a sense of normalcy and outlet. They are all MVPs in our hearts.

That being said, here's our take on the Special Awardees who were recognized by the league in yesterday's online awarding:

Outstanding Rookie - Aaron Black (Meralco)

The 2nd generation PBA star performed quite well under the tutelage of his father, Meralco head coach Norman Black. While his numbers do not really stand out, he was pretty solid as a small forward/ shooting guard running mate to Meralco's resident go-to-guy Chris Newsome. 

Honestly, felt that Roosevelt Adams, though a bit underwhelming, made a good case for himself this season while playing for TerraFirma (lost in the mix after being forced to play center on numerous occasions). Ginebra's Arvin Tolentino was also pretty solid and IMHO if you're a rookie, and you can somehow crack Coach Tim Cone's starting five for whatever reason and not look like a tool, you should instantly be recognized for it. 

PBA Bubble SF: Phoenix (2) VS TNT (3)

To win, The Beast
needs to be Unleashed
(Photo by: Inquirer Sports)

This one’s got a lot of history
.

Although, we expect everyone to say all of the right things if only to move on from that incident. You know: the Calvin Abueva vs Terrence Jones skirmish that turned into a dance-off? Oh, and the  Abueva vs Bobby Ray Parks, Jr.’s GF mouth-off?

Both incidents of course helped lead to the lengthy suspension of Phoenix’ mercurial star forward Abueva. To his credit, ‘The Beast’ has been on his bests behavior while in the bubble, even if some players are starting to get physical with him (shout-out to Magnolia’s Jackson Corpuz).

So yes, there is bad blood there. Abueva was even quoted about how he apologized to Parks during a chance encounter inside the bubble— an episode that was flatly brushed off by Parks. Just keep an eye on those two. Parks will most likely not engage Abueva, but we’re willing to bet the farm that come Game 3,4 or 5, these two will be reacquainted soon enough. 

So here’s what we know, by the numbers.

Phoenix is shooting 35% from deep (thank you Matthew Wright) to TNT’s 29% (they just keep shooting 3s or die trying). They are also moving the basketball at a very efficient rate, with 25 assists per game (versus 17 tournovers) thanks in large part to Abueva (7 per game) and Wright (6). Big man Justin Chua is also making a good name for himself, leading the league in blocks per game with 2.

So where does TNT have the advantage? 

FIBA Asia Cup: Cursed

Not enough
(Photo credit: FIBA.com)

Against the South Korean men's basketball team, our Gilas Pilipinas (then, now... and the good Lord Almighty forbid, forever) appears to be cursed. There is just no other way to explain it.

We had a solid outing, our team shot 45% from the field, 44% from deep. We had 15 turnovers, sure, but that is still quite a respectable number when the opponent committed only three less. But what the hell- they shot 67% the entire night.

They shot 76% from three point territory, missing all but five of their 21 attempts. This was God's way of telling Magoo Marjon and friends to quit yapping about the whole "and the curse of Korea is about to be broken!" This was the Korean's way of telling us "that was 2013, this is 2017, get with the program."

Thoughts on Gilas - Jones Cup 2017

The Future
(Photo credit: FoxSports.Ph)

We told you that it might take a while before we returned to blogging, didn't we?

The day job (which basically extends all the way into the night) is going strong. Those who are in the know hopefully understand why we're unable to provide any updates here or on Twitter as much as before. Long story short, we didn't want to write anything that we weren't invested in 100%. We've seen a few games here and there, but nothing quite up to par that will help us form strong arguments.

Still, while we couldn't quite sit down in front of the television (literally) to break down PBA games, we simply couldn't miss out on Gilas Pilipinas' campaign in the 2017 William Jones Cup. Here are a few things that we saw, a few conclusions, commendations and a little bit of that good old cool glass of Haterade.

1. Kiefer Ravena, The PointS Guard
While Gilas head coach Chot Reyes opted to start lightning quick Jio Jalalon, they played their best with the slower, more methodical Ravena running the show. While we're still unconvinced that Ravena can keep in step with PBA-level point guards, his feel for the game is unparalleled: correct passes, great reads and just sets the table up nicely. What or where Ravena is still lacking is finding the right balance between facilitating and dominating. For the most part, Gilas did quite well when Ravena opted to put his head down and call his own number. They say he's transitioning to PG because that's what is required for him to chase his NBA dream (and maybe even against PBA competition). We say that he's too talented to be penciled in a certain position, and deferring to lesser equipped teammates would simply be a waste.

#ManokNgBayan

Photo credit: Inquirer.net

Following today's PBA All Star game featuring the Luzon All Stars vs Gilas Pilipinas selection; Gilas head coach Chot Reyes finally named his SEABA 12 man line-up which will defend homecourt this coming May 12 to 18.

The 12 men are: Calvin Abueva, Japeth Aguilar, Raymond Almazan, Andray Blatche, Junemar Fajardo, Jio Jalalon, Allein Maliksi, RR Pogoy, Terrence Romeo, Troy Rosario, Jayson Castro William and Matthew Wright.

Honestly, we love this nice mix of youth, spunk and skill, moving forward. There were a lot of question marks surrounding some of the names that were included in the pool-- primarily because Gilas was "limited" by the "1 player per PBA team" mandate, but Coach Chot was still able to form what we feel is quite a competitive line-up that can even go as far as competing in the next FIBA tournament.

Trade RXN: Jazul for Enciso

RJ Jazul to Phoenix
(Photo credit: Inquirer.net)

Well that's one way to keep yourself busy in between conferences.

After sending big man Prince Caperal to the Mahindra Floodbusters for rookie Joseph Eriobu, the Phoenix Fuel Masters have also decided to ship Simon Enciso to the Alaska Aces for veteran gunner RJ Jazul.

On the surface, it sounds a bit like the Aces won the trade since Enciso is coming off a great start to the season with averages of 34mpg 13ppg 3rpg 4apg while Jazul has mostly been the designated shooter off the bench. However, a closer look would show that Jazul isn't that far behind with his 24/ 10/ 3/ 3 statline.

So why make the trade?

Ikaw na ba si Mr. (W)right?

The Wright stuff
(Photo credit: Sports5)

Yes, we just used that sappy line from a wonderful local ditty as our title and we feel no remorse or shame.

Why would we, when Gilas rookie and Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters' small forward Matthew Wright is making believers out of just about anyone who has seen him play in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup? Wright has impressed so far, with a high usage rate of 34 mpg and averages of 19 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.

Obviously, his familiarity with  head coach Ariel Vanguardia has played in the amount of minutes  that he is currently enjoying. He could be playing behind veteran teammate JC Intal, who is also having quite the conference, but Coach Ariel has often shifted the Fil-Canadian to either SG or SF, depending on the situation and match-ups.

Opening Day Game(s) notes

Come at us, brodies.
(Photo credit: Spin.ph)

The new PBA season is upon us!

Here are a few game notes from two days' worth of games, missed out on today's 2nd game: the Rain or Shine-TNT match, so you'll have to make do with the Blackwater vs Phoenix one for now. Will catch the game later on replay (thanks OSN and Aksyon International)!

Also, if you've been paying attention, it seems like they found a strong digital marketing arm to help keep in step with the times which is a good thing (someone send us free tickets or something! Lol)

San Miguel 96 - Star 88

- Alex Cabagnot, shooting guard. This is going to be fun.

The 2016 PBA Special and Regular Mock Draft

Get Belo-fied
(Photo credit: interaksyon.com)

Ugh.

The Gilas boys need to come out with red dots on their foreheads. Green for the regulars. Siopao-style.

Special thanks to ABS CBN Sports for the Draft order, as per this report >>> click here.

1 Blackwater - Mac Belo, SF
Arguably the most sound Gilas player to date be it on offense or defense. Though he is not a go-to-guy per se, Belo almost, always ends up being his team's leading scorer (and rebounder) by sheer hard work and simply working efficiently without the basketball. If you were to compare him to any current PBA player, then the guy his game closely resembles is that of TNT's incoming sophomore Troy Rosario-- only with a better dribble game. Belo works the glass relentlessly, has a pocket set-shot from 15 feet and out, and best of all can put the ball on the floor on the pick and roll which makes him an even bigger threat than Rosario. We honestly like what Blackwater is looking at here, since they will be able to parade a blue chip foursome of Roi Sumang, Carlo Lastimosa, Art dela Cruz and Belo right away, with the center position hopefully addressed in the later conferences (via an import).

Graduation day

The Future is NOW.

Ladies and gentlemen, here is your Gilas Pilipinas 5.0 24-man pool: amateur standouts Mon Abundo, Mac Belo, Kemark Carino, Carl Cruz, Ed Daquioag, Russel Escoto, Kevin Ferrer, Alfonzo Gotladera, Jonathan Grey, Jiovani Jalalon, Chris Javier, Ray Parks, Jaymar Perez, Von Pessumal, Roger Pogoy, Kiefer Ravena, Arvin Tolentino, Mike Tolomia, and Arnold Van Opstal; PBA players Yutien Andrada, JP Erram, Matt Ganuelas, and Almond Vosotros; and the ABL’s Matthew Wright.

With the FIBA Asia Challenge Cup all set for September and the PBA locked in its season-ending Governor’s Cup, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) have opted to send amateur stars mostly from their Cadets training pool. While no Olympic berth is at stake in the Tehran tourney, the top five teams in the FIBA Asia Challenge Cup will earn an extra berth for their subzones (i.e. Southeast Asia for Philippines, Thailand, etc.) in the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup.