Azkals-mania aside, future looks bright for Philippine basketball

While everyone (including myself) has been caught up in the football craze powered by the Azkals (still a fitting name, before it used to stand for "homeless" but "asong kalye" is also a term used for *excuse my French* bastard hybrids), its popularity could and should be credited to a lot of things. One and two, it's a NATIONAL team that has SHOWBIZ-worthy faces and bods. Three, we don't get to see them play very often.

Case in point, I bet you that should a football-counterpart of the PBA be made, that it would drive away bandwagoners and organizers would have problems selling out fields worse than the PBA's gate attendance to a Powerade-Meralco game.

With that, people should stop saying that football is better suited for us Filipinos because it relies on speed and not height-- uhm, did you watch the Azkals-Sri Lanka match? A couple of years ago, that is exactly how our team looked. We looked like Sri Lanka. Our players were even shorter and had smaller bodies than our broad-shouldered, Hindu looking neighbors.

Anyway, I am writing this because someone should go out and say it. The future of Philippine basketball looks bright, if not brighter than ever.

Fans, coaches and scouts have probably outgrown their mini love affair with high leaping athletic wings, and are now concentrating on actual basketball players rather than athletes as spearheaded by the Smart Gilas Pilipinas national team.

In both the now import-flavored NCAA and UAAP tournaments, we have seen a return to high scoring, talented shooting guards and big men (okay, so a 6"3 big man would be pushing it in the pros but at least the post game is still alive despite the Dirk Nowitzki-fever).

FEU's RR Garcia, Adamson's Alex Nuyles, DLSU's LA Revilla, UST's Jeric Fortuna, Jeric Teng Kevin Ferrer, NU's Ray Ray Parks (who is forcing it too much but will probably get it as the season unfolds) and Ateneo's monster rookie Kiefer Ravena.

Of the lot, Ravena, if he learns to play PG, will be a star in the PBA. Alex Nuyles is a shoo-in for any Yeng Guiao team, while LA Revilla has the best handles in the amateurs bar none.

Forgive me for not naming any NCAA player, I haven't cared about that league not since the PCU troika of Gabby Espinas-Jason Castro-Rob Sanz (and later Beau Belga).

Here's a couple of UAAP predictions that I'll throw out there just for fun:

Ateneo will be in the finals and will win their 4th chip.

UST will rival Ateneo for basketball supremacy akin to their 2010 Juniors MVPs.

FEU will be in the Final Four, look dominant, and fail/sell out/be controversial yet again.

DLSU will not win a title unless they go back to shopping for Fil-Am point guards and centers (re: Mike Cortez, Don Allado era).

Willie Miller traded to Air21 for Nino Canaleta, 2012 draft pick

While the trade is still up to PBA Commissioner Chito Salud's approval, two time PBA Most Valuable Player Willie Miller has been traded to the Air21 Express for slam dunk artist/three point shooter Nino Canaleta and a 2012 draft pick.

How this helps both teams will probably be felt beyond this conference, as Air21 is already out of contention and other than their import-woes, Ginebra has already zeroed in on a solid nine-man rotation.

Caneleta will probably steal minutes away from JC Intal, but not from defensive anchor Willy Wilson as Uichico has shown a preference for the DLSU Green Archer rather than Intal in close minutes (plus, someone has to play defense after Cortez, Caguioa, Tubid, Wilson and Helterbrand right?).

The 2012 draft pick, if they're lucky, could turn out to be a Smart Gilas alum-- which will always be a bonus in my book because of the international exposure and training those boys have had.

For Air21, either they are starting to reload to become a relevant force next season, or they are looking to trade their recent stars (Dondon Hontiveros, Danny Seigle and Willie Miller) for younger players-- or, to split it with their sister team (since Air21 was able to buy the Barako Bull franchise a few weeks back).

To be quite honest, I can't name a two-time MVP who has been traded as many times as "The Thriller."

Ginebra locals take charge, wins over B-Meg

In a league that puts a premium on scoring, it should come as no surprise that the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings have won their second straight game despite missing the services of super import Curtis Stinson. Not when you have the luxury of scorers like Mark Caguioa, Ronald Tubid, John Wilson, Eric Menk and even a still-groping-for-form Jayjay Helterbrand at your disposal.

Yesterday’s come-from-behind 89-85 victory over the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados is proof that when motivated, this team can hold its own against some of the better teams in the league regardless with or without an import AND even two time Most Valuable Player awardee Willie Miller.

To their credit, the Llamados came up with a superb game but was just outplayed in the fourth canto. Import Darnell Hinson played like his job was on the line (which was rumored to be the case), while James Yap and PJ Simon chipped in 14 a piece. It should be noted that new addition Joe DeVance started the game waxing hot, taking advantage of his high basketball IQ and feathery touch to dismantle the Kings’ defensive gameplan early on, only to fizzle out as the game progressed (why am I not surprised?).

According to reports, the Kings’ are all set to fly in another D-League veteran to replace the injured Stinson, but I don’t think anyone minds seeing the Kings’ guards take over games (specially those who have been begging Ginebra head coach Jong Uichico to play Helterbrand, Caguioa, Wilson, Tubid, Labagala and even Miller or Aquino—if he ever cracks their rotation).

San Miguel all set to join ASEAN Basketball League

Author's note: my apologies for being unable to post as much as before, Destiny Cable-BTV and work-related drama aside, I'll slowly rebuild this site from the ground up and write about the only sport I've grown to love: Filipino basketball.

The minute Noli Eala was called on by the San Miguel franchise to serve as one of their higher ranking sports development officers, you just knew that he'd make it back to the limelight and steal some thunder from the Philippine Basketball Association-- Asia's oldest play for pay league and the very outfit that kicked him out after a personal issue (so yes Sir Jaemark of FireQuinito.com, while I find your Eala-bashing amusing, I still feel that maybe we could go easy on the guy even if he comes off as a douche).

Contrary to earlier reports, San Miguel will not take over the AirAsia Philippine Patriots' spot on the ABL roster. Rather, it will be the second Filipino-backed franchise which could very well be a teaser to an all-Pinoy ABL finals at some point in the very near future. And as of this writing, would be SMC's 4th basketball team (alongside Petron, Ginebra and BMeg in the PBA). No reports yet if they're going to pull one of the three teams mentioned and send that to the ABL (doubtful really).

What will San Miguel's transfer do (other than make SMC richer by adding to their global brand/image of course)?

- More Filipino basketball players will have jobs either with SMB or as imports for other squads (as seen last conference)
- Make the ABL more competitive in terms of style of play

- Added exposure for Asian players, since SMC is a global brand and the ABL has a solid partnership in place with ESPN Star Sports (which could open the doors for the first Filipino NBA player *hey, if you're going to dream then dream big right?*)

- Put a premium on ABL basketball and could very well take away from the PBA fanbase (specially if Chris Tiu and some of those Smart Gilas boys decide/ realize that there's a real chance of more money and fame in the ABL.)

- Give SMC the edge over Team MVP who has pretty much taken over the role played by SMC in the Filipino community basketball or otherwise for years.

That being said, don't be surprised if MVP follows suit and forms his own ABL franchise.

Overall, this development is good for basketball, the players and the Philippines (why wouldn't it when we'll have a 2/7 or 8 chance to bring home another title?).

What do you think?

Pass (some of) the blame to ‘Spo

Again, while I usually refrain from writing about the wonders of international basketball (choosing to leave it to the so called “expert bloggers/analysts”), I just feel like sharing my two cents worth of insight on the recently concluded NBA Finals which the Dallas Mavericks won over the lethargic Miami Heat, 4-2.


“If we lose games, it’s not because we weren’t prepared,” a quote shared by Miami Heat co-captains Udonis Haslem and Dwyane Wade when asked about head coach Erik Celino Spoelstra earlier this season.

By now, we’ve read all the stories on young Fil-Irish coach Spoelstra or “Coach Spo” and his ascencion to the top of the Miami ranks. A point guard out of Oregon who played a few years in America and Europe before taking a job as a video scout for Pat Riley at the young age of 25, later on becoming an errand boy, Dwyane Wade’s personal shooting coach, assistant coach and pre-Big Three head coach.

Governor's Cup is back! Rain or Shine wins 95-82 over B-Meg

PBA commissioner Chito Salud keeps doing himself right, this time by bringing back the Governor's Cup and effectively remedying what to me has been its one fatal flaw-- how to separate it from the Commissioner's Cup which also makes use of hiring imports.

In case you haven't heard, the top teams in the recent Commish Cup won by Talk N Text will field in imports of around 6"2 max in height, while the cellar dwellers get guys up to 6"6 tall. And while I am amazed that the PBA never went back to getting 7"0 imports like they did a few years back (which they should reconsider because since most of today's Pinoys are uber talented and no longer just "role" players, why not let them strut their stuff while being backed by foreign giants who do the dirty work?), this current arrangement is quite acceptable.

On to the game then.

B-Meg, parading its 6"2 import, Darryl Hannah and new acquisition Joe DeVance from Alaska, lost to the Rain or Shine Elastopainters who have found a gem of an import yet again in dreadlock-sporting Arizona Reid who scored 36 and hauled down 17 boards.

Credit of course goes to RoS since this team is playing with pretty much the same roster while adding an import who automatically fills up its hole in the middle (since RoS head coach Yeng Guiao still doesn't look like he's convinced that Beau Belga is a legit, 48-minutes center/power forward). On the other side, BMeg coach Jorge Gallent is still trying to look where Joe DeVance fits in his rotation, while also trying to make room for his import.

Gallent opted to sit steady point guard Jonas Villanueva in favor of his import (who shot an awful 4-23 from the field and finished with 8 points) and even tried to get something out of Pong Escobal (who, at this point, is just not a PBA player). JDV scored in the post, but it's clear that BMeg needs to unload some of their post players to get better point guards and wings.

JDV, Jerwin Gaco, Marc Pingris, Don Allado all took turns in the paint which is good, but there was no fluidity in their game at all.

James Yap did his usual thing, as did super sub PJ Simon (who should be traded and start for another team), but they just looked really lost out there. Maybe it's because point guard Roger Yap wasn't in the rotation, or maybe they just need more time to jell.

We ain’t stupid: why it’s hard to love LeBron James

(Disclaimer: I usually don't write about the NBA since starting this blog, opting instead to concentrate on helping get the word out on our proudly homegrown basketball leagues/associations. That being said, I just couldn't find it in me not to write about someone who is arguably the best basketball player today, and the frustrations the come with it.)
For all the God given freakish athleticism, high basketball IQ and charisma in the world, there’s a reason why one LeBron James has yet to win the world over. And it’s not simply because he decided to strip his old team balls-out on national television in search of greener pastures—no, it’s because of the player himself. A player so gifted, anything less than a 20,5,5 stat line would be deemed an utter disappointment or travesty. 

Smart Gilas settles for 4th in FIBA Champion's Cup

At this point in time, Smart Gilas has effectively gone from a promising team of amateurs, to one that has fallen victim to its own hype, all the way to today's nice mix of young names and PBA veterans who have re-established what Philippine basketball is all about and should be: teamwork.

Truth be told, when the PBA sent the ill-conceived all star selection to represent the country a couple of years back, guys weren't playing their usual roles on the floor. Instead of making sacrifices on the floor, it was quite clear that some of the players we were rooting and pulling for had their own agendas (re: Arwind Santos, Dondon Hontiveros). Be it showing off for international scouts, not wanting to get hurt or just plain settling for wearing the Philippine colors but not representing and fighting for country-- those guys failed simply because they didn't play as a team.

Congratulations Talk N Text for winning the PBA Commissioner's Cup title! / Site Under Re-construction

Ginebra wills itself to victory over Smart Gilas, reaches Finals

What a fitting end to what I believe is one of the more competitive matches we've seen this conference, nay, this season. Ginebra and Smart Gilas, battling each other on Easter Sunday with the Gin Kings enjoying a 2-1 lead but finding itself down by as much as 15 points in the early part of the game, tied at 65 after a furious rally and stand by the Gin Kings' second unit and Mark Caguioa.

A Man's Game

Two games in, and Ginebra is now just a victory away from turning what was once thought as a "passing of the torch" to promising Smart Gilas Pilipinas into a mismatch of manly proportions- figuratively and literally.

In the first game, Ginebra barely won all thanks to somewhat uncharacteristic botched free throws careof the boys in blue. In Game 2, despite the box score's 110-103 line, Ginebra showed just why the PBA is "where the best come to play."

Ginebra Escapes Smart Gilas; Bad Habits Beginning to Form

Since this entry comes at the heels of last night's replay on BTV (I wanted to actually watch the game first instead of reading/ researching about it, watching clips on YouTube and writing my piece-- hey, some of us have to work for a living so I can't watch games live), kindly disregard its "lateness."

Pretty sure that other bloggers have now written their comments on what Ginebra did right, such as zeroing in on shooters by not leaving them at all times and trusting their bigs-- who played with much grit to take care of the paint.

The Final Four

Now that the dust is starting to settle and we're moving on to the final stages of the Commissioner's Cup, fans have been gifted with box-office worthy, best-of-five match-ups, in Talk N Text-Air21 and Ginebra-Smart Gilas.

In the TNT-Air21 series, you'll have the Philippine Cup champions doing battle with a rejuvenated and driven Air21 squad led by who I believe is the best, scoring import of the lot and some grade A championship-caliber players. With Ginebra-SG, you'll have the crowd darlings going up against a young team that is slowly trying to build its own identity and is also winning over fans left and right with its style of play (which should be the case since they are the national team).

That being said (and since I'm on paid vacation leave), here's how I see the match-ups are going to play:

Thoughts on today's Game Twos

Air21 defeats Alaska (series tied 1-1)

With their backs on the wall and facing elimination, Air21 turned to their Lebanese import Alpha Bangura-- an old school, high scoring, take no prisoners reinforcement that is arguably the best of the remaining lot, to lead them to victory. And boy, did he ever deliver in the Express' 94-84 victory this afternoon.

How to fix the Beermen (theoretically)

Now that they have been eliminated from the on going Commissioner's Cup, head coach Ato Agustin and the rest of the San Miguel Beermen (I can't remember the last time this team was eliminated this early) have all of the off-season to make their new, young acquisitions work in time for next conference.

Granted, they traded away four aging players-- two being quite serviceable (Dorian Pena and Dondon Hontiveros), for three young upstarts-- with only one being worthy the marquee (Rabeh Al Hussaini). But just when you thought that things would be okay owing to the Beermen's loaded roster, guys who should've stepped up didn't, and the team looked pretty lost as to what style they should play. Are they a half court team anchored on veteran Danny Ildefonso and the more stable Denok Miranda or are they a run and gun team led by Jay Washington and Alex Cabagnot?

Gilas can't win without Douthit; loses to B-Meg

In what could be the most surprising (and entertaining) game so far this Commissioner's Cup, the undermanned/ injury-riddled B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados handed the Smart Gilas Pilipinas National Team its first loss in six games, winning 98-90 in overtime.

And while you could easily say that SG lost due to naturalized center Marcus Douthit's 3rd quarter ankle sprain which led to big boy minutes for 6"9 beanpole Greg Slaughter, consider that B-Meg was playing without top gunner James Yap, point guard Jonas Villanueva and enforcers/bigs Rafi Reavis, Don Allado and Jondan Salvador.

Chippy: thoughts on Bolts' 89-86 win over Llamados

My apologies for the late entry, but this hard-earned victory for the Meralco Bolts showed that this team is starting to build a character far different from what was originally envisioned (which I believe is for this team to be Chris Tiu's once he decides to enter the PBA and be its new marketing gem. Requiring it to be as clean cut as possible, thus all the charity work).

Smart Gilas' bigs needs to do their homework

Imagine a world wherein PBA players were committed in playing for flag and country first instead of money and fame-- where the elder statesmen, the "kuyas" or established superstars would gladly reach out to the young ones and help them with their games. That would certainly help improve our chances in international tournaments and producing top tier talents.

Who's next?

It's always an advantage when your line-up has two promising big men sitting on the bench and learning behind a solid naturalized post presence who just so happens to stand at least SIX inches taller than his rivals in the paint.

Smart Gilas Pilipinas now touts an unblemished 5-0 win loss slate, and has yet to be "tested" be it by the Philippine Basketball Association's pro teams' "BETTER style of play" or its fancied "physicality." Seriously, they have fought close matches, but even the game against Alaska was a wash when head coach Tim Cone opted to play his second unit instead of his usual Cyrus Baguio-L.A. Tenorio backcourt.

Thoughts on Smart Gilas' ass whooping of San Miguel

Wow.

We all knew that Smart Gilas was cohesive, but no one told me that they were all set to unleash the worst beating of the Commissioner's Cup to a powerhouse (on paper) San Miguel squad. Granted, the Beermen are still in the middle of a rebuilding/ retooling phase with new recruits Rabeh Al Hussaini, Nonoy Baclao and Rey Guevarra, but no one saw or expected them to lose by FORTY ONE points (109-68).

Battle of PBA's most popular teams: B-Meg wins over Ginebra, 96-89

With all due respect to the San Miguel Beermen (who's pretty much the Lakers/ Celtics of the PBA with its chamionship pedigree), PBA fans were treated to a showdown of the league's most popular teams-- Ginebra and B-Meg.

Norwood still out of it, Rain or Shine wins 3rd straight

Despite being named "Best Player of the Game" in today's win over Gary David and the Powerade Tigers, Gabe Norwood (14 points, 6 rebounds) continues to struggle to find his rhythm in RoS head coach Yeng Guiao's system-- which is quite surprising given the Fil-Am's impressive credentials the last two years.

First look at the new Air21 Express

We finally caught a glimpse of the new-look, suddenly veteran-laden, Air21 Express in their out-of-town game against the Talk N Text Tropang Texters earlier this evening. Starting for "Team Ube" were Wynne Arboleda, Jay-R Reyes, import (???) Robinson and new recruits Dondon Hontiveros and Dorian Pena-- a team that now teems with championship/ Philippine national squad pedigree following a "lopsided" deal with San Miguel just last Wednesday.

Trade aftermath, players who'll gain/ lose stock

Now that the dust has settled and the smoke has finally cleared, here's my take on the players who are most likely to gain/ lose from the Air21-San Miguel blockbuster (read: semi-lopsided) deal that went down just a few days ago that sent this year's top 3 picks (Rabeh Al Hussaini, Noynoy Baclao and Rey Guevarra) to San Miguel for beloved veterans (Dondon Hontiveros, Danny Seigle, Dorian Pena and Paul Artadi).