MV-Ring

Can you hear it Gary?
We can. They're saying M-V-P.

In the NBA, the Most Valuable Player award is given after the regular season regardless if the leading candidate makes it all the way to the Finals or not. That is why we've all had the privilege of recognizing some of the world's greatest basketball players who may or may not rule your television sets or play on the biggest stage of them all.

The same cannot be said however, for the PBA. Since our favorite basketball association plays three conferences in a season, the MVP trophy is given only after 2 3/4 of the season has been played. The last couple of MVP awardees have all enjoyed championship runs, the most recent being Jimmy Alapag of the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters.

But this year, it looks like we're in for one of those "history in the making," "feel good" stories.

BMeg solves TNT Matrix in Game 1

PJ Simon shines
over Yap for BMeg

If this game is any indication of what we're going to be watching, nay, witnessing for the next two weeks then they should just move the games from the SMART Araneta Coliseum that fits 17,000 plus max to the Quirino Grandstand where hundreds could enjoy it live.

The BMeg Llamados took control of the game early, surprisingly deciding to run with the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters before finally slowing the game down and playing it per possession. Coach Tim Cone entrusted the scoring to under-rated scorer PJ Simon, who pretty much had a field day on the floor by using his speed against Ryan Reyes and height over Jayson Castro. Simon was doing it all on the floor, even playing big point guard no thanks to a rather subpar performance from 2x MVP teammate James Yap.

The Gilas 2 Replacements

Quick! Sign him to Gilas 2 before
he gets traded to a San Miguel team

Marcio Lassiter, Alex Cabagnot, Arwind Santos, James Yap and Marc Pingris.

All on Chot Reyes' SMART Gilas 2's roster. All under San Miguel Corporation contracts. All have yet to submit their signed letter of intent for playing for flag and country.

From an All-Asian standpoint, that team could very well contend as a legit First Five against everyone but the skilled and tall athletes coming from Iran and China. Against South Korea and Chinese Taipei? That five will more than hold its own offensively and defensively. Santos is the country's best all-around player, Pingris is arguably this side of the world's most tenacious player and Lassiter, Cabagnot and Yap are not all that bad as well.

Texters as Kainan? Nah, think Shoyo

The Talk 'n' Text SHOYO Texters

Since this writer has been a long time Slam Dunk fan back when it was still being aired (although inconsistently, some weeks it's there, others it isn't) on ABC 5 (the precursor to today's MVP-owned TV5), it's quite entertaining to see that it's being used in parallelisms with the PBA.

For that, we'd have to thank idol FireQuinito Jaemark Tordecilla, who was the first to really push for Purefoods/ BMeg's Marc Pingris to be identified as the "Pinoy Sakuragi." From the day that I first read his post about Pingris being the local version of the volatile yet extremely gifted red-haired anime, it definitely stuck and I'm just happy that we now have a moniker that best suits Pingris instead of having Mico Halili give him a childish sounding one ala Smurfinator or Ranidelsky De Ocamposchnitsky whatever.

Done Deal

Rabeh: Dominant when/if focused

Try as we may to believe that the PBA is one and on the same page in ensuring that fans get their money's worth in games which requires healthy competition and league-wide balance, at day's end it's still a business wherein winning at all costs will always be at the minds of players, officials and most of all, team owners.

Weeks after the initial trade between Powerade and Petron Blaze was vetoed (and met with so much venom you'd think the San Miguel franchise suddenly became the local, basketball version of the WWE heel stable Evolution), it's now back on the table with the same lead players but different support/ spare parts.

Gilas 2 on hold

Sa tagal mag practice ng Gilas 2,
baka manlamig na ng tuluyan ung kamay nito

The coach has been named, the players' identified and signed (except for those affiliated with the San Miguel brand) so why are we no longer hearing any updates on the SMART Gilas 2 squad?

Oh, that's right, most of the prominent names on the SG2 roster are going to participate in the grand PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals in hopes of securing a championship for their mother teams. These are times when the "Mother Land" takes a back seat then, when the players are asked and under contract to play their hearts out for the brands they wear on their jerseys and puts food on their tables.

Earn your keep

Will Cone ever convince Urbiztondo
to stop with the heat checks?

When Tim Cone was brought in by the San Miguel brass to helm the suddenly flailing BMeg Llamados in the PBA, he wasn’t signed to develop a champion team for the future. He was brought in to win, and to win now.

How else could you explain the sudden revamp of the line-up, trading away key player Kerby Raymundo for the uber-athletic JC Intal and the releasing another team leader Roger Yap to the ABL San Miguel Beermen? Yes, the Intal move was a push for a younger line-up, but it also put a clear premium on a “win now” mentality.

BMeg vs Talk 'n' Text: The match-ups

BMeg's dilemma: Castro can guard Yap.
But Yap can't guard Castro

What an amazing ride to the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals!

Kudos to all the players, the Barako Bull Energy and Barangay Ginebra Kings for putting up entertaining bouts day in and day out. The ball could've easily gone either way in some of the games, but at day's end, we are finally being treated to the Finals showdown that was pretty much inevitable.

The Dynasty (in the making pa ba yun sa dami ng titulo nila the last 2-3 years) versus the team that is building its way into becoming one. The Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters versus the B-Meg Llamados.


PG Josh Urbiztondo/ Mark Barroca/ Jonas Villanueva vs Jimmy Alapag/ Jayson Castro
It has finally dawned on us. The quick, long range threes. The swagger. The ballsy plays. Urbiztondo is trying to play exactly like reigning MVP Alapag only he doesn't have the passing skills to boot. Even if the Llamados keep rotating their guards, this is a one-sided match-up heavily favoring the Texters. Alapag is too savvy, Castro to quick, athletic and strong. The best chance the Llamados have is if their Urbiztondo-Barroca can hold their own early, before Villanueva checks in full time late to play lockdown D. If not, then you'll see Castro running around Urbiztondo and Barroca much like Meralco's Sol Mercado and even Ginebra's Mike Cortez did in the playoffs.

Adv. TNT

Energy implodes, send Texters to Finals

They were hit. They were bloodied.
But still the Texters rose to the occasion.

The Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters do it again. For the second straight conference, they rise from the brink of elimination to advance to the next round which is the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals.

Great series all in all, with the Barako Bull Energy squeezing out all they could from their tired, old legs. They played physical, played hard and were even fortunate enough to have grizzled champion veterans in the fold taking turns in leading them game in and game out.

Ginebra Plays The Blame Game

After another disappointing run,
Siot's walking on thin ice

Could the Barangay Ginebra Kings really have won their epic semifinals duel with the mighty BMeg Llamados had they chosen to keep Chris Alexander instead of the now “butt-of-all-chokes/jokes” Jackson Vroman?

Would they have advanced to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals had Mark Caguioa not suffered the nasty eye socket injury he did (also at the hands of BMeg but in an earlier showdown)?

True to form: BMeg advances to Commish Cup Finals

The Llamados benefited from Caguioa's absence, yes,
but this writer argues that even with Caguioa
the Kings would've still lost

The second the KKS Vince McMahon of the PBA was rumored to have met with future Hall of Fame head coach Tim Cone to discuss the possibility of bringing the American's talents to the San Miguel  fold, it was but a matter of time until both were rewarded with repetitive deep playoff runs (and quite possibly, titles one after the other).

In the Philippine Cup, the BMeg Llamados won mostly on talent rather than teamwork. Guys were coming out big, playing to their strengths while slowly adapting to Cone's intricate Triangle Offense. When that wasn't working, Cone decided to work on another facet of the Llamados' uber-talented roster: defense.

Trillo-era Begins for Alaska

It was Trillo. All along.

Forget that the man had two lousy, winless seasons with the Adamson Falcons in the UAAP despite having the uber-talented Ken Bono, sharp shooting Patrick Cabahug, wing man Mark Abadia, Ruel Hugnatan, Marvin Polyapoy, Ramil Tagupa and the closest thing the UAAP juniors had to an Allen Iverson (back in the day) Leo Canuday (who was blatantly robbed of an MVP trophy by Ateneo and Ken Baracoso) at one point or another-- Luigi Trillo has been called upon by Wilfred Uytengsu to right the Alaska Aces ship that Joel Banal has "wronged."

Granted, Trillo is enjoying a renaissance of sorts as far as his coaching career is concerned-- leading the Cebuana Lhullier team in the PBADL to respectable finishes the last two seasons and even in this one. But the guy was called upon by Uytengsu in an effort to "return to the Triangle Offense."

Championship Swag

TNT: Grace under pressure

Just the other day the Barako Bull Energy, their believers and even some underdog-rooting converts (such as this writer) were a step closer to making it into the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals. Their story was to be told for weeks, years and even ages. The "little engine that could," the "David" to the mighty Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters' "Goliath." They were only a game away.

Unfortunately, tonight happened.

Gin Kings stay alive

KKS Big Easy

Said it before, will say it again: anytime you complement Mike "Cool Cat" Cortez with a knockdown shooter (Nino Canaleta), he's bound to get numbers, the other guy's going to blow up and their team is going to win.

Ren Ren Ritualo at La Salle, Willie Miller at Alaska and now, with their backs against the wall the Cool Cat finds the sharp shooting Canaleta. Say what you will about the once flashy, side show slam dunker, but he has worked his ass off to become the shooter her is today. His defense (once his calling card in college ala fellow UE alum Hans Thiele) has dipped a bit, but you'd take that if in return are net-swooshing threes that look so effortless (from now on, based on how effortless he shoots the ball from deep, Canaleta gets his own KKS moniker: Big Easy. )

Goodbye Joel

Was it really Banal's fault?

Well that was fast.

Coaching and personel selection errors aside, Joel Banal remains to be one of the better coaching minds in the business though rumors have it that he's on his way out of the Alaska Aces camp.

After given a fresh 3-year pact to lead the post-Tim Cone Aces, Banal was given only two conference to prove his worth and lead the young and developing squad into a Playoff contender. The first time out, they were pretty much a mess and were trying to run a sham of the Triangle Offense.

Energy punks out Texters

Energy will win if they continue
to keep Pena fresh for the 4th

If the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters fail to advance to the Finals in the PBA Commissioner's Cup, then not only would it come as a shock to the local basketball front, but they'll have only themselves to blame.

In Game 2, we all thought that the tables have finally turned and that the Texters were ready to follow up with a rousing performance in Game 3. Not only did the survive the veteran-laden Barako Bull Energy's physicality, but they ran them roughshod to the ground. But something changed, this writer touched on it in the last two entries (be happy if you could check it out) and it worked to perfection.

The Energy made three key adjustments that pretty much sealed the deal.

Tuned out

Is Siot still in charge?

It's hard to be a coach in the professional league, specially if you're asked to steer the basketball scene's most popular squad which has the roster to make deep playoff runs night in and night out.

Tonight, Barangay Ginebra head coach Siot Tangquincen experienced what most coaches fear the most-- to be tuned out by his own team in the crucial stage of their Game 2 duel with the BMeg Llamados that they ended up losing. No timeouts were called when Ginebra clearly needed one to settle down the troops. Siot was frantically pacing up and down the court trying to get everyone's attention.

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.

Claws out for Ginebra's Cool Cat

Cool Cat: Never too late for a re-emergence

A few years ago, Mike Cortez was hailed as the country's premier point guard while playing for the De La Salle University Green Archers and leading them to a string of Finals appearances. At 6"0 170 lbs., Cortez wasn't just PBA ready, he was THE guy looked at as the standard bearer for the new generation following Johnny Abarrientos' off-court struggles.

During those days, we were settling for Olsen Racela, Boyet Fernandez and even Jason Webb-- guys who, on their best day, may not even be able to keep Cortez from driving into the lane.

But how quickly one Finals series changed everything for Cortez.

Deep, versatile and skilled

Payagan ka kaya ng SMC?

The 16-man pool has officially been released to the public, this is no longer a "wish list" but the actual names of the guys that SMART Gilas 2 head coach Chot Reyes wants on his team. The heat will be on their respective teams to deliver (specially the San Miguel camp who will be cast as unpatriotic if they do otherwise), so this is probably as good as it can get for Team Pilipinas.

Just a question though, did Coach Chot settle for old ties rather than getting the best available talent? Here's this writer's take on the final SG2 training pool.

No room for the Hook?

Hay brad, ano pa ba kelangan kong
gawin para masali sa Gilas?

The way things are going, the Meralco Bolts’ franchise player- MacMac Cardona needs to go on a scoring binge ala KKS Bataan Bomber Gary David to ever be considered into the National team training pool. 

In 2009, Cardona made a case for a spot in the National team (that ultimately went to Cyrus Baguio who then proceeded to make a superstar out of himself in FIBA play) by going berserk for the Talk ‘n’ Text Tropang Texters. They weren’t the dominant team that they are the last two years, but they were damn good with Captain Hook proving to be an elite scorer in the PBA. 

PBA: Bayan ng Superstars

A few years ago, the PBA's KKS Vince McMahon came up with a brilliant marketing ploy to promote the country's premier basketball association by tagging it as "PBA: Bayan ng Superstars."

Back then, they "only" had the Big J

However, this was met with a ton of criticisms from die-hards to casual fans alike. The league was saying goodbye to its face, Alvin Patrimonio at the time, and old reliables Kenneth Duremdes, Johnny Abarrientos, Marlou Aquino and Danny Ildefonso were either playing below par or just plain injured. It was a far cry from the old years with the Jaworskis, Fernandez, Cos and Caidics. The newbies (mostly Fil-Ams) were still getting their feet wet. The emergence of the Metropolitan Basketball Association also made it difficult for the PBA to win new fans.

Texters stay on top

No Chot and Ali? No problem.

TNT: all they do is win

True to form, the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters (6-2) dispatched the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (3-5) in an out of town game after breaking out in the second quarter for good.

Both teams started sluggishly, probably trying to get a feel of the court and/ or trying to impress the local crowd. The telling point of course, was when Gabe Norwood and Paul Lee sat down, and Jimmy Alapag pretty much took over in two plays.

San Miguel Gilas: The dream

Can't win FIBA games on style points

Philippine basketball fans know this by now though some have a hard time grasping its notion, the SMART Gilas Pilipinas basketball team is owned by Manny V. Pangilinan, its head coach is Talk 'n' Text's Chot Reyes, and most of its players will be from the very same PBA team.

There are no arguments to be made there, it's quite clear now that there are two basketball powers in the country (which we love as long as they keep it clean) and that. much like it was San Miguel's turn a decade ago, the ball is now with Team MVP. Simply put, if they can bring in players of equal caliber without jumping ship or having to stoop and beg their rivals, then so be it. Fortunately enough, this country is stacked with basketball talent and that there will always be a star (or more) who are not under their employ.

Number 19

Hall of Famer

Last night, the Powerade Tigers (who lost 100-102 to the Alaska Aces) retired the jersey of one Kenneth "Captain Marbel" Duremes in a half time ceremony that lacked the superstar fanfare that a player of his caliber deserves.

Patriots want it all; Beermen ready

Alexander: Taking his talents to AirAsia

The way things are going in the ASEAN Basketball League, don't be surprised if it starts capturing a bigger market among local basketball fans. With the way ex-PBA stars are starting to jump ship (John Ferriols and Roger Yap being the biggest so far) and teams tapping into known PBA imports.

Leading the pack are the AirAsia Philippine Patriots, backstopped by super import Anthony Johnson (Coca Cola, Santa Lucia) who pretty much is the designated "main man" on offense. He's paired with last season's ABL Best Import awardee Nakeia Miller, but that combo may have seen its last days with reports  of former Ginebra muscle Chris Alexander all set to take Miller's place for the Playoff-run.

SMART Gilas Tropang Texters and friends

SMART Gilas na ako! SMART Gilas na ako!

The writing has been on the wall ever since the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and Team MVP opted to have Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters' head coach Chot Reyes to man the SMART Gilas 2 basketball program.

Reyes' initial SG2 wishlist features the core of his Texters, with veterans Jimmy Alapag, Kelly Williams and KKS Doctor Ranidel de Ocampo leading the pack followed by FIBA first timers Jayson Castro, Ryan Reyes (wasn't able to play in 2009) and Larry Fonacier. They will be supported by Alaska's Sonny Thoss, Powerade's KKS Bataan Bomber Gary David, Marcio Lassiter and JVee Casio plus old reliable, naturalized center Marcus Douthit. Asi Taulava is also reportedly on the wishlist, but he'll probably be 100 years old by the next FIBA Asia tournament (bless his soul).