Where's Willie

If the Barako Bull Energy ever decide that they're in the league to compete as a legit franchise and not the butt of all jokes re whatever the hell kind of product is printed on their jerseys, then they need 2-time PBA MVP Willie Miller to wake up.

KKS Monikers

The Wizard

Alex Cabagnot: The Wizard 
Quinito Henson calls him "Crunch-man," he used to go with "Cool Whip," then there's the ongoing debate whether or not he's the league's number one point guard with his current string of impressive, clutch performances. But really, Alex Cabagnot is and by far deserving to be called "The Wizard" with his great plays in the clutch wherein he produces points or assists when his team needs it. Plus, he's got the league's best freestyle handles bar none. Not that he doesn't turn it over, but he's just Steve Nash flashy with it.

The All Star Joke

See you in the All Star Game kid

The votes have been tallied and the stars are all set to shine in the beautiful city of Laoag this May. From a basketball fan's standpoint, there's no arguing that the most popular names were sent to represent their teams, from a basketball purist's perspective, the voting system and overall selection couldn't have been any worse.

Not only did the league settle for getting the Top 5 vote-getters, but they did it regardless of the position similar to how the PBA Mythical 5 has been picked the last three-four years. Difference being, the Mythical 5 allows that whenever there's no legit dominant player in a certain position. This is the All Star Game, we want to see the best guys in their positions and not guys trying to play whatever. This could've easily been fixed had the PBA All Star voting system classified the guys per position and asked for the fans to vote and not just throw random names out there and get the most popular.

The Rundown

The Blur is proving to be a handful
even for defensive ace Tubid

The Barako Bull Energy went into Game 2 thinking they figured out the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters puzzle: hit them hard on defense and bang them around on offense. The minute the first quarter ended, they found themselves with more questions than answers.

Yes, the Energy hit the Texters hard. Import Gabe Freeman exploded for 15 first quarter points. But the Texters weren't derailed. They were hanging tough, leading even. They got hit, but they quickly got back up and acted as though nothing happened. These weren't the shaky Texters of Game 1, these were the title-happy/ hungry group that has been rummaging through the PBA for the last 2 and a half seasons.

Ready to explode

Vintage Danny

The Barako Bull Energy are winning, but it’s not just because of versatile, all-out hustler of an import Gabe Freeman or the fearless kiti-kiti known as Ronald Tubid. They may have gotten the public’s attention by Mick Pennisi’s on-court antics but even that isn’t why they’re in a good position to advance to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

It’s the return to form of one “Dynamite” Danny Seigle who is averaging a  solid 18.2 points and 5 rebounds in just 25 minutes of burn in the Playoffs (Quarterfinals and Semifinals Game 1). Coming in off the bench Seigle is getting his numbers not by merely catching the ball in open situations, but by creating scoring opportunities for himself via dribble drives and post-ups.

That old Dennis Espino quote

Kung patay kung patay ang labanan,
Llamado ka kay Pingris 

Okay, for argument's sake, this quote was famously used by the Living Legend Robert Jaworski, Sr. but this writer never really got to watch the Big J in his "elbowing" best (he was usually by the bench, calling shots for his team while wearing the team warm-ups complete with white towel over his shoulders). Espino on the other hand, from 1995 to 2010 was the most feared scorer-enforcer combo in the land. Ask Mark Caguioa during his rookie year. Oh, and the quote was also most recently used by Rico Maierhofer back with BMeg during the infamous "hug me!" encounter with Ali Peek). Thanks to idol FireQuinito for pointing it out.

"Kung ayaw mong masaktan, mag-chess ka na lang!"

Two separate games into the PBA Commissioner's Cup Semifinals and we've been given more physicality than we could have ever bargained for in today's world of athletes and sportsmen. The Barako Bull Energy won over the favored Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters last night thanks to their rough play, and tonight, the BMeg Llamados did just the same by punking out the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings.

Take the lead

Cool Cat has always
been clutch in big games

Now that star Mark Caguioa is out of the playoff picture thanks to an ugly facial bone injury, all eyes are on whoever is going to carry the cudgels for the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings as they face sister team BMeg Llamados in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Semifinals.

Fortunately for the Kings, they were able to “solve” that problem with the acquisition of versatile big man Kerby Raymundo (through a trade with BMeg) and the replacement of 7”0 rebounder Chris Alexander with 6”10 energetic scorer Jackson Vroman. Vroman will now be given free room to get buckets and prove to the Kings’ doubting fans why he is and should be considered as an upgrade and wise move overall by the San Miguel brass.

The PBA's Shaq vs Kobe

Age and injuries made Kerby
expendable at BMeg

To be the Man, you have to beat THE Man.

Or have the entire management back your claim, be on your prime, put up solid-not-great numbers, keep quiet and let the dice fall where they may.

From an entirely conspiracy theorist point of view, those claims could very well be used to illustrate what happened among Kerby Raymundo, James Yap and the B-Meg Llamados franchise as a whole.

Golden Opportunity for Barako Bull

Kelangan gumawa si Miller para magtrabaho
sa depensa si Castro, Alapag at Reyes

It’s not everyday that a rag tag team of discards and almost forgotten veterans are able to prove themselves against the league’s elite. That pretty much sums up the main storyline for the starpower heavy Best-of-Five semifinals match-up between the Talk ‘n’ Text Tropang Texters and Barako Bull Energy.

On one end you have the defending champions, the mighty Texters who are looking to duplicate last season’s title romp behind an even healthier and more potent roster. Powered by rejuvenated, reigning Most Valuable Player Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro, Ryan Reyes, Kelly Williams, KKS Doctor Ranidel de Ocampo, Larry Fonacier and Jarred Dillinger plus rebound-demon of an import Donnel Harvey, all signs point to another long playoff run by the Texters.

The Aftermath: What went wrong for Alaska

Nawala si Reyes sa maling
balasa ni Coach Joel

Now that the Aces have been sent home in the PBA Commissioner's Cup, it's high time to review just what went wrong/right for a team that was able to rebound from an abysmal first conference showing.

First off, there's the re-emergence of L.A. Tenorio as one of the league's premier point guard- if not as THE premier point guard now that we've seen Petron's Alex Cabagnot go back to his old, timid, flashy ways. In the Philippine Cup, Tenorio tried his darndest to lead a team that wasn't ready to win. They looked for Tim Cone on the bench and ran the same plays but it just wasn't the same.

Llamados come of age, advance to semis

HUGOT? Hinde, BIG TIME
player lang talaga.

What a game.

Marc Pingris on Mac Cardona early. Joe DeVance cutting backdoor for gimmes. Sol Mercado having a Rain or Shine relapse. Earl Barron owning Denzel Bowles. Reynel Hugnatan owning the offensive glass. Jonas Villanueva checks in. Marc Pingris slides back to power forward. No more rebounds for Hugnatan. Bowles mans up versus Barron. Mercado tires out.

Again.

What a game!

Barako Bull: Old and proud

Tubid: one of the best 2-way players today
(pag hindi naka flop mode)

The aging ensemble of discarded veterans collectively known as the Barako Bull Energy has proven us all wrong (specially this writer, who placed his money on the young Alaska Aces in this afternoon's do-or-die quarterfinals Game 3) and is moving on to the semifinals to meet powerhouse Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters.

Perhaps in a move to further shed "expansion team/ we trade stars to the highest bidder" tag, the Energy all but sealed the deal the minute coach Junel Baculi decided to stick Aces' star L.A. Tenorio with mercurial guard Ronald Tubid.

Easter Sunday Knockouts: Bet Money

B-Meg Llamados vs Meralco Bolts (series tied 1-1)

Mac Mac needs to stay focused for the Bolts

James Yap looks like he's back in the groove, Marc Pingris has resurfaced to provide the heart and hustle and everyone's pretty much on the same page and focused on winning. Problem is, can they overcome a Bolts squad that is just primed to advance to the Semifinals barring any more unforeseen ejections or even suspensions?

Earl Barron is slowly proving to be the best and most polished import in the league today now that Nick Fazekas and Marcus Douthit have all gone home in the eliminations. Constantly dropping 30 and 20s, the NBA champion reserve is proving to be too much for the lengthy Llamados frontline (which has surprisnigly been downplayed this QFs by the commentators) and counterpart Denzel Bowles. Bowles has all but come undone and unglued in the match-up, being schooled repeatedly and looking more like a JV player rather than a true blue reinforcement.

Is there room in the PBA for vuvuzelas?

Dali! Bago i-ban ng PBA, mag face paint na din
ung may vuvuzela para sa Meralco

FIBA has banned it from all basketball-related events since 2010. Unfortunately, the PBA is only being introduced to the annoying concept just now thanks in part to the growing supporters of the Meralco Bolts and their rising level of play.

See, Bolts fans have been tooting the horns since last year but has only gathered attention now that they've crashed into the Quarterfinals of the PBA Commissioner's Cup against a powerhouse franchise in the B-Meg Llamados. Since no definite ruling has been made in regards to vuvuzela use, Bolts fans have been blowing at it- louder than ever- in the first game much to the annoyance and vexation of Llamados and casual PBA fans.

Money's on "Dark" Aces

Bumilis man ang laro,
si Thoss pa din ang Boss

Do the Alaska Aces have enough to crash into the next round and overcome the proud Barako Bull Energy?

This writer says yes.

From a personel match-up standpoint, the Aces are young, quick, agile and athletic-- four adverbs that are lost when asked to describe the Energy's best five. L.A. Tenorio looks to have recovered from the injuries that hounded him last conference, Cyrus Baguio has come out of his slumber and Sonny Thoss is posting his customary double-doubles and acting as the Aces' cornerstone ala the San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan.

The Pingris Conundrum

Pingris: The Ultimate X-Factor for B-Meg

With yesterday's high energy display that ultimately led to a much needed victory, the B-Meg Llamados have forced a decided Game 3 in their Quarterfinals showdown versus the Meralco Bolts thanks to one Marc Pingris.

Having played only 11 minutes in Game 1, Pingris was benched early by head coach Tim Cone who opted for a faster line-up to counter Meralco's huge frontline. It was only normal for Cone of course, since the best way to go up against a huge team is to quicken the pace of the game and tire them out. Problem was, Cone's locals didn't provide the energy needed to stay with the electrifying Bolts and their annoying vuvuzuela-toting fans.

Waiting on Team SMC

Ang paglaro para sa bayan,
hindi na dapat pinag iisipan pa

11 players have signed on the dotted line for SMART Gilas 2.

5 players have yet to submit their Letter of Intent-- some, still busy with the ongoing PBA Playoffs, others, not so much.

How hard is it to sign up for something that you want to be part of? To wear the proud yellow, red, blue and white of your native land? To champion over 94 million (as of the 2010 census) Filipinos here, and some hundred thousand plus overseas? To carry the dream, no matter how short we've fallen year after year?

Beermen powers up with Fazekas, Crews

Just in the Nick of time for Beermen

Remember that tidbit that had Filipino basketball fans buzzing when sweet shooting 6"11 Petron Blaze Boosters import Nick Fazekas was unceremoniously sacked despite multiple solid games?

Well, we finally have an answer to froth at the mouth at.

Fazekas, together with beastly, slamma-jamma Rain or Shine Elasto Painters' import Duke Crews will form arguably the most fearsome import duo in the ASEAN Basketball League for the San Miguel Beermen by next week. Forget the impressive performances of Leo Avenido and Froilan Baguion, or the addition of free agents Roger Yap and Jon Ferriols, this is the move that will definitely get the Beermen over the top and knockout local rivals AirAsia Philippine Patriots.

Do I have your attention now?

Return of the Hook

Mac Cardona.

UAAP champion. PBA champion. Scorer. Closer. Swagger. Villain.

Back on the game's bigger (biggest would be the Finals, which isn't that far off the way things are going) stage after a year and a half wallowing with the young Meralco Bolts franchise, Cardona finds himself basking in a chorus of boos and jeers yet again.

As it should be.

Shrinkage Syndrome for Llamados

James Yap needs to step up. Now.

Isn't it ironic how the B-Meg Llamados, pre-season favorites with the acquisition of Hall of Fame coach Tim Cone, is led by a man touted "Big Game" only for them to keep falling short in, well, big games?

James Yap hasn't scored over 20 points in what feels like forever and this night's 103-81 loss is no different regardless of the 21 he scored on a 7/17 shooting clip. Most of his points came early, and when push came to shove, he couldn't do anything but hoist up those nice-form threes that kept bouncing off the rim.

Power surge: Meralco zaps Powerade, enters QF

The Franchise: Mac Cardona

Score one for the Hook, and how he proves yet again that he isn't the one-dimensional scorer most picture him to be. At least, not when matched against the PBA's elite scorer Gary David- the KKS Bataan Bomber.

By "Hook," we refer to Mac Mac Cardona who continuously leads the team that he has been billed "Franchise Player" of no matter the circumstances or odds. Just a few games ago, the Meralco Bolts were down 1-4 with import Jarrid Famous and were looking for yet another early exit-- a far cry from over-achieving, powerhouse sister team Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters.

Nino saves the day for Ginebra

Nino Canaleta: from high leaper
to streaky shooter

In a match billed as "Manila Classico" by the InterAKTV brain thrust (FireQuinito et al), basketball fans were treated to an exciting ball game that had its share of drama and suspense-- in the form of a bloodied Mark Caguioa who had to leave the game to get treatment for his boo-boo.

Game-wise, the Llamados and Gin Kings fought to a draw for about three and a half quarters before fizzling out in the final canto. While the commentators would have you thinking that it was more of a tight game given the talent on the floor, KKS argues that it was more because Ginebra import Jackson Vroman was riding the pine riddled with touch fouls.

Air21 Express: On the right track

Bet money that RJ's
taking over for Ren-Ren

With yesterday's 103-87 smashing at the hands of the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings, the Air21 Express have dutifully been eliminated from contention in the PBA Commissioner's Cup. Still, the young franchise was able to salvage a respectable 3-6 win-loss slate, a vast improvement over their abysmal and forgetful Philippine Cup debut.

Granted, much of the improvements should be credited to 6"11 import Marcus Douthit and new recruits Bitoy Omolon and Mark Isip. All three brought that rare championship air that only the coaching staff led by Franz Pumaren and aging veteran ren-Ren Ritualo could really relate to. Their starters from the Philippine Cup: RJ Jazul, James Sena, Paolo Hubalde and Magi Sison are all amateur upstarts at best while champion San Beda alumni Pong Escobal and Ogie Menor were simply fortunate enough to have played alongside a powerhouse collegiate import in Sam Ekwe (wonder where he is now).

Petron fizzles out

Santos and Cabagnot failed
to deliver for Petron

So much for the Petron Blaze Boosters' Commissioner's Cup run.

So much for Alex Cabagnot's steady rise as the league's number one point guard.

So much for Arwind Santos winning his first Most Valuable Player award.