On the Llamados, tired Texters and Point Gabe

Tim Cone + James Yap:  Proof that great players,
under great coaches, learn quick

After a slow start, the B-Meg Llamados now pose as a legit threat to win the Philippine Cup this early in the Tim Cone era.

First, the team is starting to figure out the famed triangle offense with franchise players Kerby Raymundo, PJ Simon and James Yap all looking more and more comfortable with each game. Take for example the Llamados' close 102-100 win over the Rain or Shine Tropang Texters wherein James Yap burned the hoops with 32 points on 12/20 shooting-- all within the context of the triangle.

Also, Cone has found a regular point guard rotation (nixing the PG PJ Simon experiment) with deadshot Josh Urbiztondo and rookie Mark Barroca. Granted, fan favorite Roger Yap has been lost in the PG rotation but that's more on Cone wanting to have someone who can help spread the floor some more for his superstar trio. When Barroca comes in, the offense speeds up and the rookie SMART Gilas alumna is given the freedom to create for himself and the team (much like Johnny Abarrientos used to freelance a bit with Alaska in the 90s).

With the injuries to Talk 'n' Text first five and early leaders Rain or Shine and Barako Bull slipping, don't be surprised if BMeg barges into the top two spot with sister team Petron.

KKS

TNT needs Japeth to step up. NOW.

Speaking of the Texters, don't say this writer didn't warn you about the team possibly "running out of battery" by the time we get into the more interesting phase of the conference.

This afternoon's drubbing at the hands of the so-so Powerade Tigers is proof that this team simply cannot win without their star guards- Jayson Castro, Ryan Reyes and Jimmy Alapag. Add to that the absence of Ranidel de Ocampo (the best Filipino big man today whenever he feels up to it) and the still inexplicably raw game of Japeth Aguilar (who should be good enough to at least make his team compete in games, what is his rebound line again tonight? Yeah, don't bother).

Again, this writer has nothing but love for the unfairly unpopular Texters, but it doesn't take a medical degree holder to say that they're a battered and tired team.




KKS

RoS needs THIS Gabe Norwood.
Not the one masquerading as a point guard.

And while we're on the subject of teams being battered- here's one for you: the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters are on an ugly four game losing skid.

Yes, two (or three) of those were rather close in the end, but you could see that there's something wrong in the gameplan as of late.

First, Gabe Norwood is now handling point guard duties full time, alternating with rookie Paul Lee. While Lee has shown that he's quite a natural at this (averaging a team high 5 assists per game), Norwood is struggling-- hard.

On offense, his handles are undeniable. But he can't orchestrate and often positions himself at the wings after putting the ball in motion. Him not having a consistent jumper to go to is also allowing other teams to sag off him-- knowing full well that Norwood doesn't exactly "Sol Mercado" his way to the rim.

On defense, Norwood has blown so many one-on-one assignments against shorter competition that has left this writer completely dumb founded. Yes, smaller guards like TNT's Jayson Castro (who led his team to a win over RoS on that drive versus-surprise-Norwood) and Barako Bulls' Willie Miller have an advantage because they dribble lower, but you'd expect Norwood to at least keep in step (owing to his athleticism) and block shots (his jumping ability). But no, that hasn't been the case.

This writer has counted FIVE scenarios wherein Norwood's PG rival just blew past him because the 6"5 George Mason product gave them the right side to drive to. It's bad enough that he let them run through him, but people are making it look like the RoS' frontline are incompetent for not sealing the paint.

That's not the helping big's fault, that's the guard's.

Also, teams have figured out Jeffrei Chan.

Yes, he can shoot. But no, he can't create. He can once or twice, but not the entire game. Trap him, or stick a guy on him like a blood hound, and he's bound to lay an egg if not for teammate Paul Lee continuously driving into the paint, sucking in Chan's defender, and kicking it out to Chan for the open bucket.

For RoS to get back into the groove, something has to change. This writer believes that GNorwood should go back to freelancing as a small forward where he can help rebounding-wise specially now that PG TY Tang is back in the scheme of things.

Oh, and Paul Lee can't win everything on his own (those endgame bricks are getting uglier by the minute though, someone tell him to go back to driving hard).