Fair trade? San Miguel acquires 2010 Top Rookies

After being turned down by no less than PBA commissioner Chito Salud, the San Miguel Beermen were at it again this time offering Paul Artadi, Dondon Hontiveros, Dorian Pena and Danny Seigle for Air21's prized rookies Noynoy Baclao, Rabeh Al Hussaini and Rey Guevarra.

Small victory

As you may or may not already know by now, PBA commissioner Chito Salud has vetoed the latest (somewhat ridiculous) trade proposal placed before him: a lopsided deal that would send Rookie of the Year shoo-in Rabeh Al Hussaini, teammate and defensive specialist Noynoy Baclao and promising Rey Guevarra all of the Air21 fold to San Miguel for hardly used Joseph Yeo, walking dead Mick Penissi and Danny Seigle and a 2011 draft pick.

Why I've chosen to use the title above is simple: I don't believe that San Miguel won't land any of the three rookies by mid season AND I don't believe in Air21 period.

It's funny now, how more and more forum patrons are buying into Air21's slogan of "Hari ng Padala." The way things have been the previous four or five years, the Bert Lina franchise has done nothing but draft collegiate stars and trade them for cash and draft picks-- stripping the league of its dignity, and pretty much messing up the PBA draft for fans in general.

Which rookie, if given the chance, would ever want to be picked by Air21 when they know that they're bound to be traded down the line anyway? Sucks to be a member of "Ube Republic"-- pretty sure that Lina would trade them too had they been under contract. That's just how this franchise has been and is.

That being said, what merits a fair trade between the two franchises if SMB is really bent on acquiring the rookies and Air21 is sold on letting them go?

How about two starters/ solid young players, two veterans and two draft picks for safety. I'm talking Yeo, Seigle and Pennisi-- with a Denok Miranda thrown in for good measure. Yeo and Miranda, partners in the now defunct Santa Lucia backcourt, would do Air21 wonders given their current line-up (Air21 traded perimeter scorer Ronjay Buenafe to Rain or Shine in the offseason, and only have aging Wyne Arboleda and inconsistent Leo Avenido as legit PGs in the rotation).

Just a thought though; is San Miguel trying to build its own Talk N Text/Smart Gilas team? A starting line-up of Alex Cabagnot-Jay Washington-Arwind Santos-Baclao-Al Hussaini does look insanely intimidating if you ask me.

Cabagnot, Washington and Al Hussaini can take care of the offense, while no one's going to score on Santos and Baclao.

On Mercado-Cardona not working; Alaska's new style and Gabe Norwood's slump

Rumors of a lospided Air21 trade of 2010 top draft picks Rabeh Al Husseini (shoo-in for this year's Rookie of the Year plum), defensive specialist Noynoy Baclao and guard Rey Guevarra to San Miguel for 2011 draft pick, Joseph Yeo, Mick Pennisi and Danny Seigle aside; here are a couple of things we've picked up after a week's worth of PBA Commissioner's Cup action:

Quick thoughts on today's PBA games

Alaska Aces def. Powerade Tigers, 106-82

In what may be a sign of things to come for both teams, the Aces flat out whooped the hapless Tigers' in today's first game. Cyrus Baguio led the charge with 24 points while flashy import (very un-Alaska-like) LD Williams contributed 21 and a couple of one-handed alley-oop jams. The Tigers were led in scoring by import Russel Carter who scored 34 on 10-29 shooting (read: unacceptable) while still running the simplest play an unimaginative coach could run: isolation for their top scorers.

Chang Thailand Slammers take home ABL crown

Somewhere, Philippine Patriots' honcho Mikee Romero and head coach Louie Alas must be shaking their heads in releasing Froilan Baguion and import Jason Dixon during the offseason. As you may all know by now, the very same guys that the Patriots' deemed expendable (that or they were feeling rather generous) came back to lead their new team, the Chang-Thailand Slammers, to a title at the Patriots' expense.

Top 10 things to be excited about the PBA Commissioner's Cup

1. Meralco Bolts
- No other team has been busier than the Bolts who opted to drop untested names in their line-up in favor of established stars who long for more playing time. Renren Ritualo and Sol Mercado are two of the better scoring guards in the league (with Ritualo comfortable as a full time back-up given his game and age) while Reynel Hugnatan and Marlou Aquino both provide a solid interior presence. Question marks surround the team as far as sharing the ball is concerned. Will Mercado keep his newfound role of scoring pointguard (as he did with Rain or Shine) and play alongside Cardona in what promises to be an explosive (and bratty) backcourt or will MB head coach Ryan Gregoio slide someone to a "super sub" role and leave the keys to the team to the ever improving Chris Ross (who always had game, but played a little too fast for his own good prior to last conference).

Why the Chang-Thailand Slammers should win the ABL crown

Unpatriotic sentiments aside, the ASEAN Basketball League is starting to enjoy a growing number of fanbase here and abroad (a quick jump to their Facebook page reveals 11,283 followers and counting). And while the level of talent is still not at par with some of Asia's commercial leagues, it's nice to see the sport growing in popularity (and Filipinos flourishing of course).

While much of the success should be credited to the genius of Harbour Center's Mikee Romero and that rich Malaysian mogul behind Air Asia (who are now both bankrolling the Philippine Patriots), credit should also be given to the whole league landing a TV deal with ESPN Star Sports. That alone puts it in a higher pedestal than FIBA tournaments held at this side of the world.

PBDL's gain is PBL's loss

GMA News recently reported on the transfer of three PBL franchises (which was set to re-open this 1st quarter of 2011 following a months-long hiatus) to the Philippine Basketball Association's Development League which is set to open on the 12th of March. These are: Cobra Energy Drink, Pharex and Agri-Nature/FCA.

Other teams that have already expressed their intentions in joining the newly formed amateur league patterned after the NBA's development league are: Cebuana Lhullier, Freego Jeans, Maynilad, Metro Pacific Tollways, Powerade, City of Antipolo (Wow. Their local government can afford an amateur team? I'd like to see Pampanga match that, given their crop of players up North.), Black Water/Ever Bilena, Handyfix, Pacific Pipes and PC Gilmore.

Back to the topic-- the PBL was set to run a 6-team tournament and have actually landed a TV/production deal with up-and-coming SportsVision (the same group behind the Shakey's V-League). But now that their line-up of teams has been cut in half, you could very well conclude that it's back to the drawing board for OIC Nolan Bernardino (son of the late PBA commish Jun Bernardino).

Should the PBL just close shop and hand over the keys to the PBA's newest project? Perhaps. Since bigger teams will opt to go with the more established brand (via affiliation) rather than one that has been on and off (which is such a shame). Better yet, the leftover PBL teams could sponsor one of the Liga Pilipinas squads (which is also in a state of limbo just after two mildly successful tournament-legs).

If anything, I feel sorry for those who patronized the PBL and what it stood for. I appreciate everything about it. The rivalries, the young and goggle-less Marlou Aquino, a fat Asi Taulava, MVP performances by guys named HERCULES Tangkay and PJ Simon, the Stags, Welcoats, Agfas, and even Mikee Romero's league-killing Harbour Center which basically robbed the league of star players by forming one super team and sucking the life out of the PBL.

Alaska-Meralco swap: Hugnatan for Thiele, Bugia

This just in, the Alaska Aces have traded "Swiss army knife" Reynel Hugnatan to the young Meralco Bolts for frontliners Hans Thiele and Paolo Bugia. Of the names involved, you'd have to love it for Thiele who made a mark as an energy wing-type (think Kelly Williams, Rich Alvarez, Marc Pingris) last conference, while you'd have to think that this is another smart/ shady move by Alaska (who has a knack for trading away steady players who have contributed so much but are saddled with big contracts i.e. Abbarientos, Duremdes).

At first glance, Alaska wins based on age and what Thiele and Bugia could bring to the table. Camp UE (Alaska now has Mark Borboran and Bonbon Custodio to pair with Thiele, maybe they'll also sign Rudy Lingganay from the ABL and throw in UAAP MVP Kelvin Gregorio in there for good measure down the line) now features agile, athletic wings, young bigs and backcourt general L.A. Tenorio.

For Meralco, you'd have to hope that Hugnatan stays healthy and blue collar attitude rubs off on known hot-headed teammates Mac Cardona and Sol Mercado. I'm not quite sure where MB head coach Ryan Gregorio is going with this. Either he believes that there's still life in the old legs of Asi Taulava (and probably of Marlou Aquino who was reported to be in talks with MB) or that Beau Belga is ready to take his place as Noli Locsin version 2.0 at power forward (minus the aerial acrobatics-- but who knows?).

Final verdict: advantage Alaska

Uhm, schedule please?

Either the PBA has concentrated more on this season's initial success, are banking on Solar Sports-Studio 23's promotional abilities OR that they feel that there's no need to promote that, "hey, we've moved to Studio BUT will still be standing by our usual Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays format!"

Studio 23 isn't to blame here, since they'll only carry the live feeds and are not in charge of production (yet). It's still Solar's show, and they should be heavily promoting the league-- regardless of the channel, as part of their contract (which ends after the Governor's Cup).

Are they that determined to drop all of their sports programs in one go? Oh well. Sucks for Solar TV's personnel and fans.

Maybe Old Man Ronnie was right all along.

PBA: Kabarkada Mo!

Following yesterday's meeting among the PBA board of representatives, the remainder of the 36th season will now be aired on ABS-CBN's UHF channel Studio 23 (much to the delight of veteran mediaman Ronnie Nathanielsz perhaps who has written countless columns in support of the Lopez owned network) instead of PBA commissioner Chito Salud's preferred VHF channels (ABS-CBN 2, NBN 4, TV5, GMA 7, RPN 9, IBC 13).

No takers

Marvin Cruz, Pong Escobal, Marlou Aquino, Lordy Tugade, Paolo Hubalde, Jojo Duncil, Aris Dimaunahan, Rob Wainwright, Richard Yee, Bruce Viray, Chris Canta, Borgie Hermida, Richard Alonzo, Ken Bono, Khazim Mirza, Dennis Daa, Mark Andaya and Jason Misolas.

Of the 18 Barako Bulls players in today's dispersal draft, it almost came as a shock that only two names were called. On again-off again veteran Lordy Tugade who was re-signed by San Miguel and slow-footed point guard Pong Escobal who went to B-Meg Derby Ace.

Olsen Racela retires at 40

In a fitting tribute to one of the better PBA stories, one-time back-up Olsen Racela, 40, was acknowledged by just about every single Talk N Text personnel who was interviewed during their Philippine Cup coronation despite playing for the opposing (and losing) San Miguel team.

While I was too young to remember how Racela was when he first stormed into the league as a scrawny speedster out of Ateneo as the 10th overall pick in the 1994 draft, I saw glimpses of his game around '96-'97-- the height of legendary Robert Jaworski, Sr.'s Ginebra's popularity. This, if only because Racela struck me as a Bal David clone-- same speed, same "rah-rah" approach (pardon the pun) but with glimpses of knowing when to hit the breaks.

Talk N Text brings home Philippine Cup crown

In an awesome display of pure grit and just "wanting it more" than their opponents, the Talk N Text Tropang Texters broke away from the San Miguel Beermen in the pivotal third quarter after being tied at 57-all to win the game 92-85 and the series 4-2.

While I've never been a fan of TNT, the minute they gutted the now disbanded Santa Lucia Realtors' roster and added its National Team shoo-ins Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes, everyone knew that it was just a matter of time before they win another crown (only their 3rd this decade which is quite befuddling to say the least). Trading hotshot scorer Mac Cardona to sister team Meralco also seemed to pay dividends for the franchise, allowing them to speed things up with more ball-handlers than ball-stoppers (people who need 5-10 seconds of the shot clock to create in every possession).

In the four games that they have won, TNT simply outmatched and outclassed SMB in every aspect of the game. The two losses they suffered really looked more like games they lost rather than SMB won or fought hard for (specially game 3).

PBA Finals Game 5: Match point, Chot, RR owns Santos

When the Beermen came alive in Games 2 and 3 to level the series, people started questioning the Tropang Texters-- their head coach, Chot Reyes, in particular. While his SMB counterpart Ato Agustin was receiving praises and pats on the back from peers and pundits for changing his rotation (starting Paul Artadi and Danny Ildefonso over Alex Cabagnot and Dorian Pena), doubts were being cast over the former National Team head coach.

Not anymore.

As if on cue, Reyes changed his starting five before going with a three-guard line-up the rest of the evening. It should be noted that when Reyes inserted Jason Castro, Jimmy Alapag and Ryan Reyes all at the same time instead of for one another, the Beermen quickly found itself trailing by double digits despite its formidable and lengthy wing players.

Alapag played with his usual tenacity, Castro was kept under control  since he was not asked to orchestrate the offense (akin' to a thoroughbred who needs to have the sides of its eyes covered and just do what it does best, move forward and kick ass) and perhaps the biggest key to the game-- Ryan Reyes moving to the small forward position and just man-handling the taller (yet skinnier) Arwind Santos.

PBA Finals: Tied 2-2

Have the San Miguel Beermen really solved the offensive conundrum known collectively as Talk N Text as their plays have said the last couple of days?

If anything, the Beermen have managed to level the series at two games a piece-- a blow-out win in game three, and a cliff-hanger in game four. In yesterday's game, the Beermen relied on usual suspects (and newly minted Best Player of the Conference) Jay Washington, steady Arwind Santos and a vintage performance from big man Danny Ildefonso who all churned in 25, 18 and 17 points, respectively.

One of the reasons why SMB has won back to back games in the Philippine Cup Finals is the inspirational play of veteran Olsen Racela-- who is all set to retire at conference's end to concentrate on coaching the RP under 16 men's basketball team (backstopped by Ateneo/ MVP as always). While he hasn't contributed much points-wise, Racela has been making the big plays and controlling the tempo for SMB.

What I'd like to see is if Racela will still be able to contribute now that TNT's Ryan Reyes is back in harness. An Alapag-Reyes backcourt could render Racela helpless on defense since Racela is often shifted to guard Reyes' back-ups (namely Fonacier) who isn't as physical as the "Energizer." If Racela is asked to guard Alapag, I worry that the "Mighty Mouse's" speed, though deteriorating, is still two to three gears better than Ra-Ra's.

Reyes' return will also allow Jason Castro to flourish in the "super sub" role he has gotten accustomed to.  It's a bit too early to crown him as one of the league's premier guards just yet, since he hasn't learned how to pace himself whenever he plays long minutes (Mark Caguioa, then blonde and skinny, had the same problem when he first entered the league as Vergel Meneses' back-up). That, plus the fact that Castro bites on just about every fake thrown his way (putting him in foul trouble and rendering him useless).

For SMB to capture their third straight win in this series, they need to maintain playing the aggressor instead of simply waiting for TNT to throw bombs at them early. Another vintage performance here and there (from Ildefonso, Racela and/ or Seigle perhaps?) wouldn't hurt either.

For TNT, they simply need to go back to the basics and play their game-- run and gun, hustle and drive.

PBA Finals Game 3: Let's get physical

Why am I not surprised that Game 3 turned out to be a physical encounter between San Miguel and Talk N Text once I read on the dailies that Mark Yee finally got some burn?

From what I've seen, heard and read, SMB was on its way to a blowout win when TNT head coach Chot Reyes tinkered with his rotation and threw in hardly-used players to punk out SMB's stars--namely Jay Washington and Arwind Santos. Did it do enough damage to derail SMB's interchangeable do-it-all forwards? Not really, since TNT was already down big when they started roughing SMB up. Perhaps Coach Chot could try this ploy a bit earlier in Game 4-- Santos and Washington both sounded displeased in the post-game interviews to say the least (or at the very least, affected by the physicality).

Advantage: Smart Gilas

While I can't stress the fact that fans are being treated to a great championship series between the San Miguel Beermen and Talk N Text Tropang Texters enough, there's even more reason to look forward to the coming Commissioner's Cup: the entry of the Smart Gilas Pilipinas national team.

Forget the experimental "invitational, exhibition" matches they had last season (which ended with Wynne-gate), this time SG is in it to actually win the whole thing while benefitting from having the tallest import-- naturalization candidate Marcous Douthit (who stands 6"10) and some of the country's top young talents.

PBA Finals Game 2: Chot schools Ato

In anticipation of tonight's telling third game (if Talk N Text wins it's all but over since no team in the history of Philippine basketball has ever come back from a 0-3 deficit), fans have been treated to 1) a match-up of great basketball players playing at the highest level and 2) an old school display of how you just can't take away from veteran coaches in the league.

Truth be told, San Miguel Beermen head coach Ato Agustin has done an incredible job after taking the reigns from Siot Tangquincen. He has opened up the offense with a "small ball" line-up anchored on the backcourt brilliance of Alex Cabagnot and do-it-all forwards Arwind Santos and Jay Washington. If anything, I'd say the Beermen actually play like a collegiate team, forever hustling and running.

The problem is, that kind of basketball can win you a title or two in the amateurs. This is the PBA, and despite falling in the Asian basketball scene the last two decades, it's still where the country's best players and coaches are. Not with Smart Gilas, not in the ABL, Liga Pilipinas or anywhere else (okay, maybe someone should promote Norman Black already and get it over with).

Barako Bull Dispersal Draft - Who's in, out

As you may already know by now, the disgraced franchise known as the Barako Bull Energy Boosters have taken a leave (most hope for good) from the Philippine Basketball Association beginning the 2nd conference-- their slot now reserved for the Smart Gilas Pilipinas National Team.

And while we've heard nothing but cheers and sighs of relief from basketball afficionados who have grown tired (and disgusted) of BB, you have to feel sorry for its personnel-- from the coaching staff, players all the way to the water boys.

Good to know that then BB head coach Junel Baculi and one-time captain Alex Crisano have moved on to the ABL with the Philippine Patriots (where they'll contend for the championship), but the rest of the players left under contract are up for a "one-conference" dispersal draft-- that is, if you could hold BB to its word that they'll come back stronger than ever in the third conference (which I doubt).

The return of the Philippine Basketball League

The Philippine Basketball League is all set to return on the 26th of February behind Chairman Ding Camua and Sports Vision Management (the same outfit behind the successful Shakey's V-League tourneys). Six teams will vye for the season opening tournament title: Pharex, Excelroof, Cobra, Ani-FCA, Hobe Bihon and Cafe France.

Of the six (almost unheard of) brands, one has to wonder if the PBL, after a year long hiatus, will be able to regain its popularity with the emergence of other commercial amateur leagues such as the Asean Basketball League and the Liga Pilipinas (plus, the PBA's Developmental League which has been given the go signal by the PBA top honchos and is slated for a March opening).

All eyes on Cabagnot

Last conference, the San Miguel Beermen lost the Fiesta Cup title to the up-and-coming Alaska Aces despite having returning super-import Gabe Freeman at the helm. At the time, the Beermen played four of its current starting five led by point guard Alex Cabagnot.

But during the decisive moments of that series, Cabagnot often found himself sitting on the bench in lieu of guys like Denok Miranda and elder statesman Olsen Racela-- being badly outplayed by Alaska counterpart and who most of todays pundits recognize as the best point guard in the land, L.A. Tenorio.

This year, things have turned out for the better with Cabagnot receiving free reign from rookie coach Ato Agustin, and playing consistent, heavy minutes for the Beermen. While his averages are still quite modest at best (finishing the Philippine Cup elims at 8.29 ppg 4.36 rpg 5.29 apg), it has become pretty clear that SMB has found an heir apparent to Olsen Racela-- a guy who doesn't dominate the ball, simply orchestrates and when he has to, takes clutch shots for the team.

Bye for now? Thoughts on Barako Bulls' hiatus

Barako Bull during happier times

When Solar's marketing team first came out with this new slogan, I immediately thought "U-oh, here they go again." It wasn't that long ago when the PBA came up with its rather catchy yet far-from-the-truth mantra of being a "Bayan of Superstars."

Right. Not with names like Marlon Legaspi, Ronald Magtulis and Junjun Cabatu getting way too much playing time.

It was also rather ironic, since you could make an argument that there are better players strutting their wares in minor leagues such as Liga Pilipinas and Asean Basketball League-- definitely better than those wearing Barako Bull uniform. A team so disgraced, that they were pulling the credibility of the PBA down the toilet-- generously acting/serving as a dispersal/ farm team for the more financially stable teams in the league.

Superpowers collide: San Miguel VS Talk N Text

Author's note: my apologies to all our friends who've been supporting this humble little site for being unable to provide any updates. Not that I've been missing out on the current games (who in the Metro has anyway? Have you seen the Playoffs? Fans are coming back in!), but I just felt like taking time off to unwind, enjoy the game and let commentating geniuses like Jason Webb handle the rest (thank God Richard del Rosario's off live television!)

Number one and number two. Rarely have we seen the PBA's top two teams squaring off in the Finals-- with the import-less "Philippine Cup" title up for grabs at that. But here we are, with the league's two best and most loaded teams just minutes away from clashing in an out-of-town Battle Royal which I honestly believe has been two-three years in the making.

On one side you have the San Miguel Beermen, a team that has established its identity as an athletic, run and gun squad, facing the Talk n Text Tropang Texters-- a team that has the tools to run, but has been winning more based on a blue-collar like approach anchored on one of their unheralded frontline players (more on that later).

Here's a glimpse on the match-ups and who I feel has the edge, after the jump.