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

Playing catch-up

Author's note: It's been months since I posted on KKS2, I actually have a bunch of rough drafts in the oven but due to lack of time/ interest/ research, opted not to have you guys read it (and lose whatever modicum of admiration you have for this mediocre writer).

Who runs the GovCup?
(Photo credit: ABS CBN Sports)

KKS is a blog that I kept primarily to keep myself sane while overseas. While I was with my family, I needed something from home to keep my mind sharp and more importantly, my wits about. When we came back home after three years in the Middle East, the new job has kind of kept me away from the keyboard and television. I still tweet about the games, but as I've always said, writing is an art form that needs to be respected and honored with enough research. I don't just write random hot takes here, like I do when I tweet, I actually take time and watch film, break down plays, check out stats and so on. So we have something nice to talk about (hit me up on Twitter @kilikilishot). I'd like to think that as a writer, I've matured a bit, as with in real life. But basketball will always be a love of mine, it is a great source of entertainment/ joy/ pain/ anger. And I hope that you guys are able to drop by this blog every now and then to check on my latest works, short or long format, good or bad.

Many thanks for the continued trust and support!




So where were we?

Ginebra is in the semifinals after knocking out the grandslam-seeking San Miguel Beermen (who, from the outside looking in, looks like they need to consider a few player changes following that ugly fight during one of their practices). Justin Brownlee continues to stand tall as the barometer for imports, and it seems that he's a lock for yet another Best Import award should Ginebra continue to go deeper into the Governor's Cup.

TNT also managed to escape and unseat the defending Governor's Cup champions, Magnolia, with clutch free throws by new recruit Ray Ray Parks. It was a great match to say the least, and the game could've gone either way. It's just unfortunate that Magnolia appeared to have run out of gas in the end.

Just like the last two (or is it three) seasons, Meralco's doing quite well whenever Allen Durham is around. It's almost like the Ginebra puzzle, except that Durham plays in the paint while Brownlee plays outside. Basically, both teams seem to look average without those two super imports. The Bolts looked very impressive in dismantling the gritty Alaska Aces, and newcomers Raymond Almazan (rim protector) and Allein Maliksi (token scorer) brought the goods.

The TNT-Meralco sister team affair should be fun going into the next round.

Which leaves us with NLEX and Northport. Elbows, flops, ninja hood punches galore. I have no idea what happened or why NLEX approached the game with the intent to play physical to try and rattle Christian Standhardinger and co. Well, it didn't work. CSH flopped his way around the physicality, got the calls, and, well, NLEX' import failed to show up, which basically sealed their fate.

Who do you think will advance to the next round to face Ginebra? Will it be NLEX, the 1st seed, or Northport, which got a new lease on life despite the exit of super rookie Robert Bolick?

Trade RXN: Pringle to Ginebra

Author’s note: We simply cannot tell a lie—the most fantasy basketball-related thing that we really invest time and brainpower on are trade reactions. Of what is and what could be, how pieces would fit in a puzzle moving forward and so on. So the minute that we found out about this trade, we just had to drop everything and write a customary RXN piece. Enjoy!

Bagong ka-Barangay
(Photo: ABS CBN Sports)

For what it's worth, NorthPort had a great five-year run with All Star Stanley Pringle running the point. Sure, he spent most of it playing 2nd fiddle to Terrence Romeo, but he pretty much filled the gaps and when he was given the keys to the 'ship' following Romeo's exit, he delivered in grand fashion enough to merit a starting, starring role with Gilas Pilipinas.

Now, Pringle will take his act to Ginebra Ako, where he is expected to lead the charge and inherit the team from aging iron man L.A. Tenorio to form a young, formidable backcourt with Scottie Thompson.



We've always said-- from the old blog to Twitter, that Ginebra usually went only as far as Tenorio would take them. The star point guard is not only the team's best facilitator, but also their best creator both on and off the dribble following Mark Caguioa's journey into semi-retirement. This is why Ginebra Ako is so good when they have Justin Brownlee in the fold, and not as much when they don't.

Enter Pringle, who could easily slide into either 1 or 2. With Tenorio, he'll be the de facto 2 guard- scorer, finisher, long range bomber-- you name it. When Tenorio's on the bench, he could take the lead role or play off of Scottie Thompson (who has yet to be tasked to run the Ginebra offense full-time) or point-forward Joe DeVance.

Just another solid addition to the Ginebra fold that really makes them a better team all around. They have the bigs equipped with mid-range scoring, now they've got their guard of the future.

They lost three guys, two of which are rotation players, with the other one serviceable when healthy.

Which brings us to NorthPort.

In exchange for Pringle, NorthPort received guard Sol Mercado, small forward Kevin Ferrer and power forward Jervy Cruz. On paper, that's not a bad haul.

Mercado has sacrificed a lot to fit Ginebra's system, giving up his touches if only to allow bigs Japeth Aguilar and Greg Slaughter to operate a bit more. He has openly welcomed coming off the bench for the great Coach Tim Cone, and has willingly played whatever role was asked of him-- be it scorer, stopper (he tries) or energy guy. There's no question on our minds that Mercado should start sooner rather than later for NorthPort as a capable replacement for Pringle. Maybe not as explosive scoring-wise, but still solid enough to put up good numbers.

Big man Cruz is reunited with his 2006 UST championship coach, and we sincerely hope that he finds the minutes this time around. We have seen flashes, but all in all Cruz has found it hard to be as dominant in the pros as he was in college-- blame it on the competition being taller, and bigger, and his opting to trim down a bit. When he's healthy and given minutes, Cruz is quite competent around the paint-- just don't ask Coach Yeng Guiao. But in an import laden conference, given NorthPort's line-up, we're not really expecting a lot from Cruz.

Now here's the interesting part.

The young tiger, the former Tiger King (was he ever officially coronated? Or is the title Alj-- I kid, I kid) Kevin Ferrer.

At this point, it's really to early to give up on Ferrer. He's had his moments with Ginebra, but for the most part he has looked like a lazier, more disengaged version of Mac Baracael. You know, another great college player who could play two-way basketball and had great range? Yeah, him. Ferrer's the new Baracael, only worse. While we wouldn't really question his work ethic (pretty sure he's a gym rat like the rest of them), we're basically making that whole statement based on what we have seen in his professional career on the court. When he's hot, he has unlimited range. His high release paired with his long arms make him almost unguardable. Problem is, he doesn't seem to care about moving his feet to get free or has a pet dribble to go to-- things he could have and should have learned from Ginebra veteran, textbook shooter/ scorer Jeffrei Chan (who is unfortunately injured) during their time together.

What's nice here is that, Ferrer will definitely get a chance to shine playing behind Sean Anthony at the 3 spot (or maybe even play together come Philippine Cup). Here's to wishing that Ferrer finally gets 'it' and shows his true worth under his old coach Pido.

Trade grade:

Ginebra Ako: A (they got Pringle!)
NorthPort: B (should've gone for draft picks but hey)

Your thoughts?

The 2018 PBA Draft [RXN]

CJ Perez to Columbian
(Image courtesy of ABS CBN Sports)

Our Mock Draft came up a bit short (read: this writer forgot to post it!) so without further adieu, here's our reaction piece on yesterday's PBA Draft:

1. Columbian – CJ Perez, PG, 6”1 
What we love about Perez’ game is that he was not satisfied by being tagged as the “Baby Beast”—a tribute given his game’s (and background’s) similarity to Phoenix’s Calvin Abueva. No, he went from being that energy guy who can do it all a.k.a. ‘rebound ko, baba ko’ and transformed himself to 1) a slasher and scorer with a legitimate perimeter jumpshot and 2) a point guard who can make great reads and passes that are not a byproduct of the offense (like a dribble drive that makes lead combo guards look monstrous when in all, they’re simply kicking out the ball to guys who are locked into certain areas on the floor and not moving at all). While he may not be the best talent available in this year’s Draft, not a lot of fans would argue against his selection. Columbian would be complete and utter fools if they do not hand him the keys outright.

2. Blackwater – Bobby Ray Parks, Jr., SF, 6”3 
The best available talent in this year’s draft. He has the size. He has the handles. He has the range. He has the experience. Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. was born to be in the PBA. At 25, he’s already reaching his prime as a basketball player. Parks, Jr. has been so good, that the only flaw we could really point out is how sometimes, we feel like he could do more- when in reality, the numbers that he puts up on a daily basis wherever he plays, are good enough to win league MVP today. Sure, we want him to be more aggressive. Sure, we wish he’d put in more time in the gym and lose some baby fat. But make no mistake about it, you’d be very hard-pressed to find guys who are better than Parks, Jr. at the 2-3 spots in the PBA. We also appreciate how he’s played off the ball for Alab Pilipinas under Jimmy Alapag, if only to teach him other ways to be effective (he played off it for the most part last year but still won ABL Local MVP). Unfortunately, we’d have to wait until the 2nd/ 3rd conference to see his true worth.

3. NorthPort – Robert Bolick, SG, 6”1 
Bolick, if are to believe the NorthPort camp, is a Terrence Romeo replacement minus the long hair, flash and excessive ball-handling. He can definitely log in some minutes at the point, though his handles may not be as good versus a Chris Ross or Jayson Castro. What you like about Bolick is that he’s ready to score and willing to do anything to win, he can play off the ball while still being effective—which is what NorthPort really needs since we expect star guard Stanley Pringle to dominate the offense. A bit of an overlap with Jonathan Gray in terms of what they bring to the table, and maybe a concern defensively should the pair play alongside Pringle.