Monday, April 1, 2013
Powerhouse cast to form Anti-Gilas
If the voting for the PBA All Stars "Anti-Gilas" selection were to end today, then we are looking at a legit, tough opponent for Coach Chot Reyes et. al. that could ultimately decide the fate of Philippine basketball.
See, it's no secret that "The Silent War" is still alive and kicking. And to simply appease some circles, San Miguel gave in and lent their players but not before sticking to the "one player per team" dictum of PBA Commissioner Chito Salud. They lent Junemar Fajardo, Marc Pingris and L.A. Tenorio to the national cause, yes, but they were sure to leave out other stellar names by "hiding" behind that quote from good old Kume.
At the moment, rounding out the starting five are: James Yap, Mark Caguioa, PJ Simon, Arwind Santos and Calvin Abueva.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Ginebra on fire
Slowly but surely, Kerby's back! |
Gone is L.A. Tenorio's (11 ppg, 4 rpg, 6 apg) hesitance of taking control of the team and simply waiting for Caguioa (22 ppg 4 rpg 3 apg) to create scoring opportunities. In the last three wins, we've seen a more aggressive, back-to-normal Tenorio who fearlessly calls his own number, holds on to the basketball a bit longer rather than simply going to Caguioa and moving out of the way and just orchestrating like the floor general we know he is.
Time to break up the MMDA (?)
Hi, I'm Jason Deutchman. I averaged 6 points and 5 rebounds in only 20 minutes last conference. |
Granted, the team underwent an almost drastic reinvention mid-season, bringing in lead point guard Sol Mercado and athletic beanpole Japeth Aguilar. Though they won their first game and looked mighty impressive on offense thanks to their knack for spectacular, showtime-esque plays, it’s on the defensive end where this team finds itself lacking.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Air21 started from the bottom...
The Cool Cat cometh |
Following tonight's victory over the injury and drama-challenged San Mig Coffee Mixers, the Air21 Express are on a three game winning streak and have slowly climbed back into playoff contention. Spearheading the cause are monstrous import Michael Dunigan (26 ppt, 15 rpg), sweet-shooting Nino Canaleta (11 points, 4 rebounds) and the return to form of point guard Mike Cortez (10 ppg, 5 rpg, 5 apg).
As much as we'd like to dismiss tonight's victory over the Mixers as a fluke owing to the latter's 2x PBA MVP James Yap's off-court drama and the injury to point-forward Joe DeVance, we just cannot ignore how efficient and sound the Express has been looking on the floor as of late.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Nothing but bricks for Elasto Painters
Jeff Chan needs to find his touch |
The three-ball.
So far, this team is chucking up way too many shots from downtown and not converting. The usual suspect, Chan, is coming off an injury from his shooting hand so he has a valid excuse. The same cannot be said however for sweet-shooting bigs Beau Belga and JayR Quinahan who appear to be holding back on their gunslinging ways and opting to play closer to the basket (where they're not as effective on offence despite their hulking frames).
Sunday, March 17, 2013
It's the little things for Alaska
Plenty of heroes on the Aces' roster (photo courtesy of Yahoo.com.Ph) |
Fortunately for us, no one predicted what was about to come to the Gatas Republik and their followers and no, it wasn't only about PBA Rookie of the Year shoo-in Calvin Abueva or prized offseason recruits JVee Casio and Dondon Hontiveros. The Aces are winning because they play together. They rally around one another and do all the little things necessary to ensure a victory.
Petron proves there's life after Balkman
Sonny Thoss can kiss his default "Best Center in the Philippines" title goodbye |
Playing in front of a sold out Panabo City crowd (controversy, as the years will tell you, creates monetary opportunities for all), the Boosters were able to take solo 2nd in the ongoing PBA Commissioner's Cup by beating the Rain or Shine Elastopainters, 87-79. At the forefront of the victory were rookie Junemar Fajardo who finished with a stellar 20 points and 13 rebounds output and sophomore Marcio Lassiter who chipped in 14 points (12 in the deciding 4th quarter to finally breakaway from the E-Painters).
Saturday, March 16, 2013
ABL Beermen is Banchero's Team
James Yap and Chris Tiu have nothing on this cat |
At the moment, Banchero's comming off a stellar performance in yesterday's dumping of the Singapore JobStreet.com Slingers 73-53. Banchero led the Beermen with 16 points and some heady playmaking. We also saw the Fiipino-Italian looker playing a bit of shooting guard with new recruit, pint-sized point guard Jeric Fortuna now in the Beermen's fold. We're not big fans of Banchero's scoring prowess, but he does have some nifty go-to-moves and has the bodytype for it.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Adidas unveils DRose 3.5 "Chi Town"
Dubbed “Chi-Town,” the colorway represents the iconic Flag of Chicago with amplified versions of its traditional colors.
“I’ve been all over the world but Chicago will always be my home,” said Rose. “Everybody in this city is so proud to be from here, man. That’s why I love this color of my shoe that me and my fans can wear to represent the city.”
The teal, synthetic leather upper features a rugged pattern to represent the hard working city. The glitter finish represents the trophies and accolades Derrick earned during his high school career in Chicago which includes two Illinois Class AA State Championships, McDonald’s All-American honors and Illinois Mr. Basketball.
The D Rose 3.5 “Chi-Town” drops March 14 in the Philippines for 7995 PHP, and is available at adidas and other sports retailers nationwide.
Follow the www.facebook.com/ adidasPhilippines for the next exclusive colorway debut.
Back to winning for TNT
Guess who's back... back again |
The sound you're probably hearing these days is the league-wide chill crawling up the spine of every other team in the on-going PBA Commissioner's Cup and here's why:
After a so-so start with initial reinforcement Keith Benson, the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters appear to have found their groove now that "old reliable" Donnel Harvey is back in town. Don't take us wrong here, the 6"11 Benson had an impressive five game performance averaging close to 24 points and 16 rebounds a night-- but the Texters didn't really seem to have the same on-court chemistry and cohesion with him on board.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Team Bully loses 4th straight
Uhm, Danny, me nakalimutan ka ata (Photo courtesy of Inquirer.Net) |
While we will not question the "Rajko system" run by Coach Bong Ramos, we find that this team fell victim to their early hot start. That complacency started to creep in as well as over-confidence. When they were winning, they played great defense and moved the basketball to find the open man. In their losses, it was almost always Josh Urbiztondo or a Mark Macapagal and even a come-backing JC Intal who appears to be trying to win games all by their lonesome.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Chito Salud, my new basketball hero
Saludo kami sayo Kume! |
We cannot help but continue to be impressed and in awe of PBA Commissioner Chito Salud; with the decision he made and the stiff penalties that he meted out just yesterday. We all knew that there would be hell to pay, even Balkman was aware of it, and when it was finally handed down there was just no escaping it. Some fans cheered while others jeered. The decision to fine Balkman and ban him "for life" was definitely far from being popular. But it was needed. We're not saying that it was the honest to goodness, "right" thing to do, but it was JUST.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
GlobalPort losing steam
I have an idea, let's do away with the only guy who plays defense and get a scoring import - JB |
Williams was reportedly pulled out by his local handlers after hearing how GlobalPort head coach Junel Baculi was not too pleased with the 6"10 Chicago native's offensive output. We would like to remind everyone though who shares Baculi's view that William has and was always a defensive stopper-- and arguably the most logical choice to backstop a team that already features scorers Gary David, Sol Mercado, Willie Miller and even Japeth Aguilar. We're not too sure that those guys would be too happy (or effective) had they been given a ball-hogging scorer down on the block or even an import such as Air21's Michael Dunigan who is just a beast and arguably the best among all the imports we've seen thus far.
Room for Tiu
Mabait, pero mabagsik |
So allow us to once again write about Tiu, his recent heroics and how he continues to open our hearts and minds to the fact that underneath the good looks, ever-flowing charm and unwavering charisma that wins over even the most rabid of James Yap and even die-hard Ginebra fans lies a ruthless competitor who puts his team before himself all for the sake of the coveted "W."
Tiu has been playing a lot of combo guard for the Elastopainters under head coach Yeng Guiao, earning 17 minutes a night and averaging 5 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists which are paltry at best but it's the little things he does on the court that has proven to be invaluable. Also, Tiu did have those two games first versus Yap and the rest of San Mig Coffee wherein he tallied a superstar-like 15 points and 8 assists and then just yesterday afternoon when Tiu put his "clutch" cap on and drained threes and make plays enough to help his team win in a hotly contested battle versus GlobalPort.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Why can't we be friends
"Una siya naging akin!" (Photo courtesy of Spin.Ph) |
We're talking about what transpired between the Boosters' team captain Arwind Santos and import Renaldo Balkman in the dying seconds of a loss to the Alaska Aces. In case you have yet to see it, the Aces were up by seven with under a minute to go with no signs of a miracle comeback courtesy of the Boosters. Balkman proceeded to give up a duty foul on Aces counterpart Rob Dozier, then went storming off to the nearest zebra (re: referee) he could find and unload on.
And boy oh boy did he ever.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Kerby Watch
Ibalik ang bangis ni The Kid |
The Orion, Bataan native was supposed to be dealt before the PBA Commissioner's Cup and reunited with his old coach Ryan Gregorio over at the Meralco Bolts camp but that deal never materialized. Instead, Raymundo languished with Ginebra as he was clearly the odd man out in a team that preached run-and-gun. See, Raymundo is not a traditional big man who hauls down rebounds to ignite the fastbreak. His true value comes when the games are tight, the shooters are misfiring and everything slows down. Back-to-the-basket moves, mid range jumpers and a soft finisher at the rim: that's what Raymundo brings to the table.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Sophomore Jinx for Angas ng Tondo?
Hanggang dito na lang ba si Lee o kaya nya abutin si Mark Caguioa? |
This was the year that he was supposed to take full control of the Elastopainters, the way a blonde-haired, ankle-breaking, young Mark Caguioa took over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel years back regardless of playing with established names such as Vergel Meneses and Jun Limpot.
It was his year, it was his time, it was his team.
All eyes on the Fireball
The Fireball's running away with the ball in Rajko's system |
We've written entries about him not being the prototypical point guard, and that he is pretty much the Fil-Am version of shoot-first, pass-later local floor generals Celino Cruz and Rudy Lingganay. But underneath all that, we have no gripes against him having been a former Santa Lucia Realtor (and we always show love to our departed Realtors franchise personnel no matter where they are or go).
Okay, back to Urbiztondo and how he has emerged under the dreaded "Rajko System" of former national team head coach and now Energy team consultant Rajko Toroman. At the moment, Urbiztondo is averaging a league 3rd-best 17+ points (behind premier scorers Mark Caguioa of Ginebra and Gary David of Global Port), 7th best 4.4 assists and 2nd-best 1.8 steals. A chink on his armour of course, that pretty much cancels out his assist averages are his turnovers which is a league-worst 4.2.
Monster-Bowles Returns
Monster Bowles and The Captain having a moment |
Though his rebounding numbers haven't rounded up to the 2012 version of himself, Bowles' is finding ways to contribute by mixing up his now more consistent mid-range game with his face-up moves to the basket. Batang Pier counterpart Justin Williams, who is reportedly on his way out thanks to a string of low scoring performances (hey, he's not the focal point of the offence, he's playing MAD defines, so what's your beef Coach Junel Baculi), was being tested to the hilt in more ways than one. To Williams' credit, he was putting in the work on the defensive end and blocking shots left and right.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Rookie watch: The Beast vs Cliff Hodge
You reach, I teach |
While we always thought that the Alaska Aces' Calvin Abueva is the better player overall, we sided with the Meralco Bolts' Clifford Hodge and the latter having the better conference given his size. In case you're living under a rock, the current PBA Commissioner's Cup features a barrage of 6"9 and up imports that could only make life for the 6"1 (no way he's 6"3, have you seen him standing next to teammate Cyrus Baguio?) Abueva a living hell. Hodge, who stands at a legit 6"5, should be excelling this conference and playing at his regular power forward spot with ease.
Right?
Wrong.
Friday, March 1, 2013
#NoBenta
Off night or on purpose? |
Last night’s 93-72 drubbing of the Barako Bull Energy squad by then winless Barangay Ginebra San Miguel left a sour taste in the mouths of most non-Ginebra fans.
If you’ve been paying close attention to how the Energy has been playing this conference, there are only two explanations for yesterday’s semi-alarming debacle. The team looked listless and lethargic, the defense was mostly man-to-man with little to no resistance to drives into the lane and the offense couldn’t have been anywhere near a Rajko Toroman-coached, urm, consulted squad.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Live by the three, die by the three
Mandani's D makes him better suited to play alongside David, Mercado |
Ace player Gary David is back to his deadly, gun-slinging ways from deep, rookie AJ Mandani continues to impress and prove to be the steal of this year's PBA draft and new recruits Japeth Aguilar and Sol Mercado are fitting in seamlessly with the latter further solidifying his claim to Most Improved Player of the Year (if they win a title or two this year, Mercado's our vote to cop the Most VALUABLE Player title- real talk). Then there's solid import Justin Williams who has a tremendous work ethic let alone a mean defensive streak dow low (averaging 5 blocks a game) plus grizzled coach Junel Baculi throwing in some of that Pinoy old school macho swag we love and tip our hats to-- yep, the Batang Pier are as solid as they come.
So why the 2-3 start?
Monday, February 25, 2013
Alaska off to immaculate start
RJ Jazul (photo courtesy of PhilStar.Com) |
Well, what a difference some offseason trades and the PBA Draft does. While Tenorio's floor leadership and court savvy will be missed, the guy he was indirectly traded for- JVee Casio is no patsy. Clutch-wise, Casio is everything Tenorio is (and may be even more) and while the former King Archer is nowhere near half the ball handler his predecessor is, he makes up for it with crisp and timely passes while keeping the turnovers at a minimum.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
adidas DRose 3.5 Triple Blue
adidas and Derrick Rose recently revealed the new D Rose 3.5 Triple Blue colorway. The latest design is inspired by Derrick’s intense, focused playing style on the court.
The multi-toned light blue frost pattern on the upper and toe box conveys the coldness of Derrick’s attitude for the competition. The SPRINTFRAME is pearlized and outsole is iced to stand out on the court. The inside tongue patch and sockliner feature the D Rose logo and detailed frost patterns.
The new D Rose 3.5 is now available in the Philippines for PHP 7995 at adidas and other sports stores nationwide.
Follow the adidas Philippines on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ adidasPhilippines) for the next exclusive colorway debut.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Hustlin' Harder
Everyday he's hustlin' (photo courtesy of Inquirer.Net) |
Granted, Balkman is lording it over with team-leading averages of 27.75 points, 12.5 rebounds, 1.75 steals and 3.75 blocks a night, but there’s a huge difference in the team’s overall approach to the game. No, head coach Olsen Racela didn’t earn a high level degree in coaching overnight, they are simply back to playing basic, helter-skelter basketball.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Ginebra in transition
For a team that held so much promise and potential going into the season, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and their millions (and millions- S/O Rock) find themselves struggling after two games with a clear lack of cohesion and chemistry on the floor.
It's easy to put the blame on their import Herbert Hill who looks to be winded everytime the 2nd half comes in, but you have to spread the fault to guards L.A. Tenorio, Jayjay Helterbrand and their barrage of wings from Chris Ellis, Mac Baracael and veteran Rudy Hatfield. Reigning PBA Most Valuable Player Mark Caguioa is putting up the numbers, but after that, there's no one carrying the fight for the hapless Barangay.
It's easy to put the blame on their import Herbert Hill who looks to be winded everytime the 2nd half comes in, but you have to spread the fault to guards L.A. Tenorio, Jayjay Helterbrand and their barrage of wings from Chris Ellis, Mac Baracael and veteran Rudy Hatfield. Reigning PBA Most Valuable Player Mark Caguioa is putting up the numbers, but after that, there's no one carrying the fight for the hapless Barangay.
Good but not great
So Japeth Aguilar is back in Philippine shores after all the unnecessary and unwarranted off-court drama. In three games so far with the Global Port Batang Pier, the 6"9 athlete is averaging an eye-popping 15 points and 9 rebounds a game to go with 2 blocks in 36 minutes played.
This, despite playing in an import-laden conference featuring some of the world's biggest (literally) athletes who share the same position let alone having a dominant one sharing frontline duties in Justin Williams (who is clearly the barometer for all bruiser-type imports today).
After such a sterling performance, and a Gilas Pilipinas 17-man pool spot, you could very well ask the question "where the haters at?"
Still here folks, still here.
This, despite playing in an import-laden conference featuring some of the world's biggest (literally) athletes who share the same position let alone having a dominant one sharing frontline duties in Justin Williams (who is clearly the barometer for all bruiser-type imports today).
After such a sterling performance, and a Gilas Pilipinas 17-man pool spot, you could very well ask the question "where the haters at?"
Still here folks, still here.
On the prowl
Still COOL like that |
Near triple doubles were the norm, as Cortez would make the game look easy for himself and his teammates on a daily (nay, yearly) basis. He would slice into the lane when the opportunity is presented him (finishing with his trademark "jump straight up, ball palmed on his overly extended right arm *hand*, wait for the contact before laying it in" move) or would simply look for his scorers Ren Ren Ritualo and MacMac Cardona on the wings for the easy deuce.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Coach Chot Names Gilas 17
REPRESENT JD and Gabe! |
This allows continuity and fluidity of Gilas’ preferred “Dribble Drive Motion Offense” as most of the perimeter players already know the nooks and crannies of it. Tenorio did a masterful job the last time out, able to pick his spots outside and get to just about anywhere he pleases inside.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
The Anti-Gilas
If you can't join them, beat them. |
In helping prepare Gilas Pilipinas for the coming tournament, the PBA will be shelving its annual All Star Game in lieu of a tune-up match pitting the "chosen ones" and players who didn't make the final cut (re: the "other" best players of the league). This is not a jab at the guys who were not chosen for one reason or another. This is a challenge, for them to not treat this as a "friendly" and just go hard. If they can spill blood, then go do so. To send the best, we need everyone on board to give their best.
Here's our list of the Anti-Gilas:
PG
Sol Mercado/ Paul Lee/ Alex Cabagnot
Since Mercado, who was doing work in the 2012 Jones Cup as a power guard spark plug, is ineligible under the new FIBA rules, it's only fitting that he gets first dibs on taking on fellow power guards and Gilas shoo-ins Jayson Castro and Ryan Reyes. Based on the last few months, Mercado is going to attack the rim and should give our prized point guards a run for their money. Lee comes in to spell Mercado to score and orchestrate. Cabagnot, when his head is screwed on straight, is a legit playmaker who is a wizard on offense.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Rise of the Collegiate Imports
College imports for hire |
It just doesn't make any sense for the sport or the institution that they are associated with other than to simply boost the latter's chances of winning a certain tournament/s and holding on to annual bragging rights over their peers. Moreso, it doesn't help Philippine basketball per se since these young players who are being taken advantage of (and vice versa) aren't here to really "play for flag and country" but to simply make the most of their God-given gifts, make a little money before moving on to greener pastures.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
We dream of Gilas Pilipinas
Best two-way player in the PBA the last 3 years needs to be on Gilas Pilipinas |
A few days ago PBA Commissioner Chito Salud made it clear that the league is throwing its all-out support to the men's basketball program. With that, Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes pretty much has a free hand on building the best team possible in time for the FIBA Asia tournament to be held in Manila this August.
The obvious concession in exchange of getting the right players is of course the "dropping" of the SMART sponsorship from the team name (which shouldn't even be an issue since they are the ones who are bankrolling the damn thing just like San Miguel does for Spain and Visa does for Argentina). Now that that issue has been addressed, we should all focus on the task at hand.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Barako Bull on the rise
Allein Maliksi gets another shot at superstardom |
Gone are Ronald Tubid, Leo Najorda and Lester Alvarez from the Barako Bull Energy's roster and in their place are former PBA Finals MVP Jonas Villanueva, UAAP Finals MVP Jojo Duncil, college star JC Intal and PBA D-League MVP Allein Maliksi. As you can see, the letters "MVP" are spread evenly among those young thoroughbreds and that they are all young, athletic, have legit basketball skills (except maybe for Intal who has yet to find a niche in the league thus the inconsistency). Villanueva can orchestrate and, given the minutes, belongs atop the PBA's best floor generals. Duncil is a clutch jumpshooter who has the size and speed to play the two spot. Intal is crazy athletic and can get streaky from time to time. Then there's the other guy, Maliksi-- who is making a "homecoming" of sorts to the team that drafted him last season, who can pretty much hold his own against the league's premier scorers from Gary David to Mark Caguioa.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
San Mig Coffee bets the house on Mallari
More "you reach, I teach" sessions for Mallari now that he's with James Yap |
In a surprising turn of events, the San Mig Coffee Mixers decided to part ways with underutilized yet very promising former PBA Finals MVP Jonas Villanueva, JC Intal and Aldrech Ramos to bring in Petron's rookie Alex Mallari, Barako Bull veteran and under-sized power forward Leo Najorda and another rookie pint-sized point guard Lester Alvarez.
See, we tried to defend this move by saying that the Mixers did it in order to stretch their rotation and become "deeper." Then we took a look at the names on the roster, the ones that they're sending away and the ones who are coming in and it didn't take too long for us to realize that that rationale wasn't going to stick. There's Villanueva, a guy who was plagued by injuries under head coach Tim Cone but showed that he knew how to run the point position to a "T" when he's healthy. Intal may have not blossomed into the elite perimeter defender/ Scottie Pippen to James Yap's Michael Jordan project that we all hoped for but the guy has tremendous hops and can move on the hard court. Then there's rookie Aldrech Ramos, a 6"7 guy who plays defense and has a nice soft touch from the perimeter.
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Hay salamat Panginoon at natupad ang dasal ko na mabalik sa contender |
To summarize, here are the guys who were part of the trade and where they have landed:
Ronald Tubid: Petron Blaze Boosters
Mac Baracael: Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
Aldrech Ramos: Alaska Aces
Alex Mallari, Leo Najorda and Lester Alvarez: San Mig Coffee
JC Intal, Jonas Villanueva, Allein Maliksi and Jojo Duncil: Barako Bull Energy
Now to help keep things interesting (and give us entries to have fun with while waiting for the Commissioner's Cup to start), we will split the entries into three parts. Since San Mig Coffee and Barako Bull got the most players out of the deal, it is only just that we give those teams separate entries all to themselves.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Payong Kaibigan: A Tale of Two Eagles Part 2
Ako ba pinag uusapan nila? |
With the operating word being "try."
Here we go again.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Don't Cry for Rain or Shine
Tiu-torial's now in session Photo courtesy of Interaksyon.com) |
We say that because truthfully, even the hapless and rebuilding GlobalPort Batang Pier has established stars like Willie Miller and Gary David on the fold. This team? They have the all-around 10-5-5 guy Gabe Norwood, followed by two young studs who are still trying to make a name for themselves in reigning PBA Rookie of the Year Paul Lee and streak shooter Jeffrei Chan. The rest of the guys on the roster wouldn't even make a Team SMC or MVP rotation-- rising Jervy Cruz included (undersized power forwards don't make waves anymore in the PBA unless they're a hybrid like Alaska's Calvin Abueva).
So what's next for the Elastopainters following the blowout?
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
HIS3: Texters win rare 3-peat
Norman Black steers "new" Texters to 1st title under Black Magic Era |
It was an amazing, lopsided affair right from the get go as the Rain or Shine Elastopainters never got into any form of rhythm owing to the Texters' intensity and focus. Before anything else though, our hats off to the Elastopainters for putting up a tough fight despite the clear disparity in talent and roster. The Yeng Guiao coached team tried their darndest, spreading the ball, looking for the open guy and playing defense the right (and surprisingly honest/ clean) way but unfortunately for them they just ran right smack into a team that, thanks to all the rough-housing care of up-and-coming Alaska, decided to get back into work and focus at the task at hand.
Kumbaga, ung isa ang gamit sa pagkabit ng poster thumbtacks. Ung isa, gun tacker.
Monday, January 14, 2013
On the right track for Gilas Pilipinas
Stop El-Khatib? Wright? Iranian's wings? Keep calm and Pingris. |
Mabuhay ka MVP! Wag ka lang tatakbong presidente, para hindi ka abusuhin ng iba.
Now that we can move on from the whole branding issue and have gotten the commitment of the other PBA owners in terms of assembling the best men's basketball team to represent the country in the coming FIBA-Asia qualifiers, here's a complete 15-man roster of who we believe should be part of the new and improved Gilas Pilipinas.
Date with destiny for Texters
Texters: blue-collar and no-frills basketball |
As the mighty Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters set their sights on winning the PBA Philippine Cup for the third straight year and earning for themselves the beautiful Jun Bernardino Perpetual Trophy, let's not forget when this "commitment to winning" all began to take shape.
Granted, no one forms a PBA team to simply be part of Asia's first, premier basketball league (okay, with the exception of any and all Lina franchises)-- they're all here to win titles and contend for years. That's how teams are built, with dreams of confetti raining down the high ceilings of the glorious and historic SMART Araneta Coliseum and fans and supporters of the winning team lost in jubilation. The Texters enjoyed some degree of success during their formative years, they built it around one Asi Taulava-- a 6"9 Fil-Tonggan who is a legit behemoth compared to his peers at the center position.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
ABL: All eyes on "Our Time" Beermen
Mr. Short Shorts |
For any other team, reaching the ABL Finals would be considered as an accomplishment but we all know that the Beermen are born and bred a different way. It's "championship or bust" really, having acquired legit PBA starters late in the season to boost their title bid. This year, they sacked head coach Bobby Parks, Sr. and replaced him with UAAP Adamson Falcons coach Leo Austria. They also added PBA Hall of Famers Asi Taulava and Eric Menk-- two guys who desperately want to prove their worth and show that they still have enough in the tank. Gone are Roger Yap, Jonn Ferriols and Jun Cabatu among others and left are reigning MVP Leo Avenido, "James Yap-in-waiting" Chris Banchero and Christian Luanzon (seriously, who is this guy connected with that he always ends up playing for a pro team despite his limited skillset while other guys like Jeff Napa never got a shot?)
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Top 10 things that would spice up the PBA Finals
Thank you for the 90s. Now please retire before you embarrass yourself even further. Or give out a lame moniker. |
We understand that Mico Halili, Jason Webb and Magoo Marjon are all preoccupied doing live commentary, and that Aaron Atayde is doing his thing and holding the fort at some impromptu set within the compounds of whichever arena the games are being played-- but we seriously miss the silver and red set with LCDs. Sometimes we wonder, if Richard del Rosario's episode with the well-endowed ring girl played a role in the AKTV Center's "hiatus."
9. Less TV time for Quinito Henson
Did "The Dean" really say that Rain or Shine's power forward Jervy Cruz a.k.a. "Young Alvin Patrimonio" can play and dominate the 3, 4 and 5 positions? He's already under sized at the four and that's where we'd like to keep him, but seriously, when the hell did it ever cross anyone's mind-- Jervy's included, that the former King UST Tiger play the SMALL FORWARD position? Also, it's getting really embarrassing for his co-anchors (we feel for you Mico Halili) to try and ignore all the B.S. that Henson spews like he hasn't been doing his homework as of late.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Roll over and die
TABE! Dadaan ang Hari (Photo from PhilStar.Com) |
Again the Texters were in full control of the game despite enjoying only slim margins going into the fourth. Again the Elastopainters seemed to have forgotten what brought them to the PBA Philippine Cup Finals-- their aggressiveness and relentlessness on the basketball (coupled with some heavyweight physicality). There's no going around this one, they were just beat. Bullied into submission save for the mini-run that they were able to muster in the 3rd and 4th quarters which were easily doused with ice waters which runs through the veins of the Texters' Ranidel de Ocampo (and shared by Larry Fonacier and Jimmy Alapag-- just pick you poison really).
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Stronger, better, faster
Jared's O trumped Gabe's D in Game 1 |
There’s a school of thought that dictates this to be “just another PBA Philippine Cup Finals” and that we’re simply looking at two teams who just so happen to have won over the rest of the field. That there’s nothing remarkably earth-shattering or historic about this series other than one of the combatants, the Talk ‘n’ Text Tropang Texters, wanting to take home the beautiful Jun Bernardino Perpetual trophy.
If you just nodded your head in agreement, dumbfounded with the point that we’re trying to make and left scratching your head asking “what else are we missing?” then we have this say this to you with all distaste:
Shame on you!
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Abueva > Hodge
Pantay sa hustle, pero sa gulang, diskarte at laro lamang si Abueva di hamak |
Counting all the games, Abueva averaged 27 minutes and put up 14 points and 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block and 2 turnovers. Hodge played 30 minutes, scored 10 points and pulled down 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal. Abueva has under his belt a number of double double games while Hodge only has one to speak of. And before you say that their numbers are almost identical, don't forget that the 3 rebounds disparity shouldn't be taken for granted considering Abueva is 6"1 1/2 shifting from small forward to power forward in the Aces' rotation while Hodge is 6"5 and plays the power forward position for the Bolts.
So yeah, Abueva > Hodge. Right now.
Friday, January 4, 2013
PBA Finals: New vs Old School of Pinoy Basketball
Whichever guard dictates early, wins the Finals |
On the other end of the floor, you have a team of over-achievers whose frontline would finish dead last in a league-wide 5k dash. What they lack in athleticism, speed and vertical prowess, they make up for with craftiness, excellent positioning and crisp passing. They have two guys who can go toe-to-toe with the league's best and even win them a game or two in Paul Lee and Jeffrei Chan, but most nights they just win because they share the wealth and find open guys. These are the Rain or Shine Elastopainters.
Texters show poise, tries for 3-peat
Castro was just too fast for Casio et al |
We say and quote the great Michael Jordan simply because that's how the Texters played the game. The Aces were battling, scrapping for points behind rookie phenom Calvin "The Beast" Abueva and were in it despite off nights from guards JVee Casio and Cyrus Baguio but they were never really able to take control of the game thanks to the poise shown by the Texters.
A tale of three coaches
Sumusunod sa galaw mo (Photo from Spin.Ph) |
Alfrancis Chua (Barangay Ginebra San Miguel)
The writing was on the wall the very first time the pony-tailed tactician made an appearance on the Ginebra sidelines. Fans were clamoring for change, the players were becoming restless with the oddball rotation and rolls being handed them-- the timing couldn't have been better for Chua to step in. Though it took two-three conferences to happen, probably so that Chua can have a feel for the team first, Ginebra desperately needed change. Players weren't responding quite as well to former coach Siot Tangquincen's system and there were a lot of head-scratching decisions being made left and right. The last we saw of Chua (we're Santa Lucia diehards, we know how he is), he is a guy who preaches the run-and-gun system and is very strict.
Rain or Shine triumphs, heads to Pinoy Cup Finals
Sige mag usap muna kayo jan, ititira ko muna ito |
Simon looked to be unstoppable, as he kept draining jumper after jumper right at hapless Paul Lee's grill as though the bald-headed reigning PBA Rookie of the Year wasn't there. Marc Pingris also looked like he was up for another big night, jumping all over the place and hauling down monstrous one-handed rebounds over the Elastopainters' frontline. Then there was also Joe DeVance, taking advantage of the mismatch in skillset and scoring time and again against either smaller or slower defenders asked to guard him. Truly, save for Yap going AWOL, everything was clicking for the Mixers. Even when things started to get chippy the Mixers appeared to be well in control, ending the first half with a Yap triple (which, for Mixers fans, was a great sign).
Then came the second half.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
PBA New Year's Resolutions and Wishes
10. Teams (coaches specifically) Refrain From Whining About the Physicality
It's how the league is, and while some of the coaches are stuck in the 90s and the earlier parts of 2000, the PBA now preaches a highly-physical and competitive brand of basketball. It makes for more adversity, it brings out the craftiness of each player and is highly entertaining from a TV audience standpoint because of our natural bloodlust (what's a wild swing here and there from time to time among peers?)
9. Players work on their mid-range game
Most of today's players are stuck in two gears: lay-up/ dunk and three point shot. Sol Mercado is the biggest culprit here, imagine if he had a stop-and-pop pull-up jumper to go to? Or even a Jayson Castro? That would be the day. It would also be good for the younger generation because they'll see that a jumpshot is just as good as a dunk. That for all the flash of a James Yap (carry) lay-up, it scores just the same amount of points as a Larry Rodriguez corner pocket jumper.
It's how the league is, and while some of the coaches are stuck in the 90s and the earlier parts of 2000, the PBA now preaches a highly-physical and competitive brand of basketball. It makes for more adversity, it brings out the craftiness of each player and is highly entertaining from a TV audience standpoint because of our natural bloodlust (what's a wild swing here and there from time to time among peers?)
BRICK! |
Most of today's players are stuck in two gears: lay-up/ dunk and three point shot. Sol Mercado is the biggest culprit here, imagine if he had a stop-and-pop pull-up jumper to go to? Or even a Jayson Castro? That would be the day. It would also be good for the younger generation because they'll see that a jumpshot is just as good as a dunk. That for all the flash of a James Yap (carry) lay-up, it scores just the same amount of points as a Larry Rodriguez corner pocket jumper.
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