Starting over again

Say hello to Cyrus Baguio, shooting guard for Phoenix Petroleum.

I remember the first time I saw Baguio play. I was studying in LSGH, rooting for the back-to-back seeking DLSU Green Archers in the 1999 UAAP Finals. I didn’t know much about the UST Growling Tigers as my understanding of the sport was still developing, but from Games 1 to 3, I knew that Baguio was special.

He was a high-flyer by trade, an unstoppable slasher who would (and did) dunk on sleeping fools with no hesitation. He is basically cut from the same cloth as a Terrence Romeo. Pass? Just give them the ball and get out of the way.

Adidas unveils James Harden PEs Crazylight 2016 Liberty

Inspired by the great red, white and blue and James Harden's freedom to create on the hardcourt, adidas recently unveiled an
all-new Harden PE, the Crazylight 2016 Liberty edition.

The white and gray surging camouflage upper is set upon full-length BOOST, which is housed by blue and red herringbone-styled traction rubber and a loaded spring plate in the outsole. The laces continue the theme as a red and blue blend sit atop a blue mesh tongue with Harden branding at the top. A blue heel cup hosting red three stripes rounds out the silhouette, culminating in a shoe built for the game’s fastest players.

Motoring on

Revilla and now teammate Taha
(Photo credit: PBA.inquirer.net)

We will be the first ones to say that when Chito Victolero resigned as acting head coach (in lieu of head coach/ newly-elected Senator Manny Pacquiao), we readily expected the Enforcers to go back to their expansion team ways and maybe just look forward to next season's PBA Draft.

Chris Gavina, Victolero's replacement, is not having any of it. In the on-going PBA Governor's Cup, the Enforcers are currently lording it over with an unblemished 3 wins, 0 losses slate anchored on the steady play of import James White (39mpg 28ppg 13rpg) and locals Aldrech Ramos (29mpg 14ppg 3rpg), L.A. Revilla (31mpg 9ppg 6rpg 4apg) and Nino Canaleta (30mpg 11ppg 3rpg).

FIBA OQT: Gilas vs Tall Blacks

We did our best.
(Photo credit: FIBA.com)

The Olympic Dream felt achievable versus France, the way Gilas played the other night and all, only for the New Zealand Tall Blacks to shut the door on our faces just hours ago.

We all thought that our country's bread and butter when it came to the sport of basketball is our ability to run and wreak havoc, that we were arguably the best at it among all six combatants in the FIBA OQT. We also flirted with the notion that despite being ranked just a few spots below the Tall Blacks, that we had a realistic shot at beating them and somehow making it into the next round. 

No and no.

FIBA OQT: Gilas vs Les Bleus

"Ming Ming Brothers"
(Photo credit: smartgilasbasketball.com)

What. A. Rush.

This, coming from an overseas-based basket-blogger christened by most as a "hater" for simply calling out his (or any) team's short-comings on the basketball court. If you wanted to read about someone endlessly praising your favorite player and or team, then simply look elsewhere. Look to the mainstream reporters and "analysts" who are afraid to call a spade a spade, by virtue of simply not wanting to "bite the hand that feeds them."

If you want to talk about basketball, about what player/team A or X did right or wrong, then please read on. Let the joyful exchange of ideas and light banter, all taken in harmless stride, flow.

Di ka nagkulang.

Still The Beast
(Photo credit: cnnphilippines.com)

Hindi niyo ako masisisi kung isa ako sa nalungkot sa balitang hindi nasali si Calvin Abueva sa Gilas Pilipinas 12 na lalahok sa FIBA Olympic Qualifiers nitong Hulyo.

Matagal na akong fan ni Abueva, mula nung nag ingay siya sa NCAA bilang rebounder/ energy guy para sa San Sebastian Stags. Hindi siya ang bida noon, si Jimbo Aquino pa. Isang linggo inaya ako nung mga dati kong katrabaho na Team B ng Stags parehas nung nag aaral pa sila para maglaro sa skwela nila. Sabi ko, wala akong laro kundi rumebound, depensa, at paminsan minsang jumpshot. Sabi nila, ayos na yun. Tumira na lang ako sa labas, sila naman yung sa ilalim talaga.

Sempre, bilang ang laro ko talaga e wing noong high school (nasira na laro ko noong college alak, babae, aral-- mostly babae), game ako. So sumama ako. Di nila sinabi na mga Team B din pala kalaro nila. Na yung mga alumni magdadatingan. So nakilaro ako ng isang game full court. Ganda ng court sa Baste ung sa taas ng isang building doon. Maya maya, 2nd game na, may dumating, kasing laki ko lang pero batak. Si Abueva daw. E hindi pa ko nanonood ng NC noon (sino ba nanonood at that time), siguro mga tatlong baba lang sa court, nag pa sub out na ako.

Laban Pilipinas!

Laban!

And then there were 12.

Before we proceed, we would kindly like to take this modicum of space to show love to Kelly Williams, Moala Tautuaa, Greg Slaughter, Marcio Lassiter, Paul Lee, L.A. Tenorio and Calvin Abueva. They did not make the final cut for different reasons, but we all know that these men would shed blood, sweat and tears to represent flag and country under different circumstances.

To them, our whole-hearted respect, appreciation and love.

We would also like to show love to our Gilas Cadets, the ones who voluntarily showed up at the PBA big boys’ practices—Kiefer Ravena, Kevin Ferrer, Mike Tolomia, R.R. Pogoy and Mac Belo. They didn’t have to, but they did. They will have their turn (should rumors prove to be correct) sooner rather than later.

So here we are, just a week away from the FIBA Olympic Qualifiers to be held right in our very own backyard. Gilas coach Tab Baldwin has named his Final 12, and there is no point in wondering or fantasizing about who is and isn’t there, how and why.

The Gilas OQT 12 has been named, and it is our duty to support them without waver.

The Final Cut

Two of the best.
(Photo credit: Nuki Sabo, PBA Images)

Or cuts.

Though we are not privy to the Gilas Pilipinas on-goings, it would not be much of a stretch to say that it was probably quite a painful task to cut proven stars, point guard L.A. Tenorio and small forward Calvin Abueva, from the Final 12 that will represent the country in the coming FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament this July.

With all due respect to the Final 12, which we will write about on a separate entry, Tenorio and Abueva are arguably the best players at their natural positions today.

Tried, tested... and waiting

AZ and Black Sakuragi
(Photo credit: GMAnetwork.com)

Welcome to PBA fandom limbo.

While we cannot fault the PBA for taking an extended break between conferences to help turn the spotlight on Gilas Pilipinas' FIBA Olympic Qualifiers' journey, we often catch ourselves wondering why the league couldn't just proceed with the Governor's Cup and maybe take a two-week break come FIBA time?

Pardon our selfishness, but isn't that why the imports (plus Asian imports) are there? To cover for the locals-- specially the ones on loan to Gilas?

Okay, okay. Sorry. Moving on.

PBA head coaches have opted to bring in old names to reinforce their teams, though only Marques Blakely (Star) and Arizona Reid (SMB) will suit up for their original teams.

Will you still love me tomorrow

#WhatIf
(Photo credit: spin.ph)

Twenty-four names forming the Gilas Pilipinas pool were given to FIBA by head coach Tab Baldwin early this year. By now, we all know that he has trimmed it to 14 and will most likely cut two more names (or put them on the FIBA OQT reserve list). And, while we do not want to throw shade at any of the 14 men who made the cut, we just wanted to take this opportunity to see where those who did not make it stand.

The Replacement : Moala Tautuaa
Tautuaa has always been considered as “Naturalized Player Plan B” should Andray Blatche not return in game shape for Gilas. Some have reported that Tautuaa was supposed to reinforce the Cadet squad in the a FIBA-sanctioned tournament recently held in Thailand, but opted to go on break instead. As a basketball fan and patriot, that is kind of off-setting. But Tautuaa probably had his reasons, and in his place Troy Rosario basically killed it as the Cadets’ senior, local, reinforcement.

Fourteen Strong

Asia's Best
(Photo credit: gmanetwork.com)

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas finally announced its 14-man Gilas line-up set to represent the country in the coming International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Olympic Qualifying Tournament this July.

Making the final cut for Head Coach Tab Baldwin are: Jayson Castro, Ranidel De Ocampo, Troy Rosario, Gabe Norwood, Jeff Chan, June Mar Fajardo, Marc Pingris, Calvin Abueva, Japeth Aguilar, LA Tenorio, Ray Parks, Terrence Romeo, Ryan Reyes, and Andray Blatche.

Some of the names that did not make it include: Marcio Lassiter, Paul Lee, Greg Slaughter, Kiefer Ravena, Mike Tolomia, Kevin Ferrer and Mac Belo (read: we will go back to these gentlemen in a later entry).

On the bubble

The Future
(Photo credit: Arvin Lim, news.abs-cbn.com)

Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tab Baldwin is all set to announce his final 14-man roster for the coming FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, to be held next July, later today. Unfortunately, it has come down to a matter of "who is still healthy/ willing to play for flag and country" this deep into the local basketball calendar.

Still on the list are: Marcio Lassiter, Junemar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Ranidel de Ocampo, Troy Rosario, Calvin Abueva, Marc Pingris, Gabe Norwood, Ryan Reyes, Ray Parks, Jayson Castro, LA Tenorio, Terrence Romeo, Kiefer Ravena, Moala Tautuaa, Jeffrei Chan. Already assured of a slot is naturalized center Andray Blatche, who is thankfully in shape this time around.

A few entries ago, we came up with a list of 12 guys. But since we are now allowed 14, it is time to revisit that list and maybe address a few areas of concern.

Para sa bayan ?

(Photo credit: Rappler.com)

This was bound to happen.

Outgoing Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Manny V. Pangilinan recently confirmed that steps have already been taken to form a new Gilas Cadet squad akin to the SMART Gilas group of 2009. This is primarily due to the recent adjustments made by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) to its basketball calendar.

See, the FIBA will no longer hold qualifying continental tournaments beginning 2017 and will instead hold a series of home-and-away matches in a year. This will basically make it difficult for the SBP and the Philippine Basketball Association (and any other professional league such as the NBA) to simply gather an All Star cast pre/mid/post season, send them to boot camp, and expect a medal finish.

They could, or we could, but just imagine how “empty” the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) would look if in a span of a three-conference season, the best players keep being pulled in and out of their mother teams who are not at all interested in a FIBA Gold Medal but more so on the TV-brand exposure that they can get whenever their team goes deep into the Playoffs.

Gilas OQT preps are in full swing

Who's joining Blatche?
(Photo credit: FIBA.com)

The month of May is almost coming to an end, which leaves Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tab Baldwin less than 50 days to trim down his 24-man pool to about 13-14 players.

From the PBA we have: Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, Ranidel de Ocampo, Ryan Reyes, Mo Tautuaa, Jayson Castro, Troy Rosario, L. A. Tenorio, Greg Slaughter, Japeth Aguilar, Marcio Lassiter, June Mar Fajardo, Gabe Norwood, Jeff Chan, Paul Lee, Calvin Abueva, Terrence Romeo, and Marc Pingris.

From the amateur ranks we have Kiefer Ravena, Kevin Ferrer, Mac Belo, R. R. Pogoy, Russell Escoto and, fresh from his stint in the NBA D-League, Bobby Parks, Jr.

Slaughter and Rosser have already formally begged off from Gilas OQT duty owing to injuries, Tautuaa is no longer needed as Blatche is on his way back to serve as our naturalized reinforcement, while most of the amateurs have been sent to secure the SEABA gold medal: Ferrer, Belo, Pogoy and Escoto with PBA rookie Troy Rosario in tow.

Oh, hey, look! We were able to trim down the roster to 15 (16 if you count Blatche who is a lock):

Our RoS story and what's next

Photo credit: Sports5.ph

Unless it has not been made any more obvious, we are Rain or Shine Elastopainters fans. Since Yeng Guiao took over the reins and imprinted his basketball philosophies on an otherwise fresh yet bland product. Our loyalty to RoS was further cemented of course, when they drafted Paul Lee in 2011.

The first title, in 2012, came at the expense of then San Mig Coffee Mixers (now STAR Hotshots) which was still trying to build chemistry with 1st year head coach Tim Cone. We can still remember pieces of that championship run, and though RoS has always played with grit and intensity, the championship was gift-wrapped for them by super import Jamelle Cornley who would also later on win the Best Import award.

How good was Cornley?

Course correction

Welcome home. Now stay home.
(Photo credit: Spin.ph)

Well, someone has to say it.

Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. is NOT NBA material. Not yet, anyway.

We won't follow other writers who have nothing but good words to say about Parks, Jr. from the sacrifice that he made in playing in the Philippines to help his late father, to his time at National University. Instead, we will give interested readers an honest take on Parks, Jr. the basketball player and NBA hopeful.

He suited up for NU from 2011 to 2013, was recognized as the "face" of its basketball (and probably, at the time, its overall sports) program and averaged a stellar 20 ppg 7rpg 3apg 1spg 1bpg in his UAAP run wherein he was the MVP in seasons 74 and 75. He was that gifted. He was also featured on offense. A lot. NU basically ran everything through and by Parks, Jr. which is and was a far cry from all the stellar and creative offensive sets they ran post-Parks, Jr. en route to a UAAP crown just a few seasons ago.

What now, Alaska?

DEFIANT
(Photo credit: Spin.ph)

Following yesterday’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals Game 6 defeat at the hands of the Rain or Shine Elastopainters, a friend of ours over at Twitter said that this latest predicament does not hurt as much for the Alaska Aces’ #GatasRepublik .

She even joked about how they have lost so many times on that stage that they have grown apathetic and numb to the sensation of losing, disappointment, and pain in general.

But what is there to be sad about, really?

More than just Racal

RAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH
(Photo credit: PBA.Inquirer.net)

Do not get us wrong, the Alaska Aces' rookie small forward Kevin Racal has been downright awesome in their last two victories in the ongoing PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals. From not being able to get any floor time to averaging 27 minutes in the two games that he as played, Racal has filled a much-needed role for the Aces in their championship bout versus the Rain or Shine Elastopainters.

But it is not just Racal.

It is the entire team that has put in the work. Sure, newly-crowned Best Player of the Conference Calvin Abueva's numbers have risen (his rebounding numbers have grown in the last three games of the Finals), but it is the Aces' overall tenacity and commitment to playing with energy and focus that has helped them to force a 3-2 count in the Best of Seven series.

The question now is, can they force a 3-3- tie?

KKS Trade Reaction: STAR Reloaded

Garcia the STAR
(Photo credit: Interaksyon.com)

Once there was a wide-eyed young man named Jason who was given a champion car by his parents, who were both established champion racers. At the prodding of his parents, Jason quickly signed up for a race with the same car only to find himself falling short-- again and again.

That was when Jason realized that it might not be as easy as inheriting a simple champion car. That maybe, the driver needs to be up to that level as well.

Which brings us to the STAR Hotshots.

If you are a STAR fan who had to endure two conferences worth of abysmal coaching and subpar play, then please allow us to congratulate you. Your team was supposed to suck for a few more years owing to the title romp you enjoyed under the Tim Cone (and Joe DeVance) era. That was supposed to be the tradeoff for all those championshipsssss. But well, head Coach Jason Webb just found himself a few more "championship" pieces, young ones at that, to hopefully get back in the title race.

KKS Trade Reaction: Dehesa to GlobalPort

Dehesa moving up
(Photo credit: Rivals.ph)

We honestly do not know what is going on with the GlobalPort Batang Pier. One day they look and sound like they genuinely wish to build something special; to become Playoff contenders, the next day we hear that the owner has been calling out his players/ employees on his personal Facebook page, the coach gets "benched/ demoted" and this guy or that guy is going to be sent to this team or that team by next conference.

Are they a farm team? Are they the new "Barako Bull" of the PBA? Will Stanley Pringle/ Terrence Romeo be able to build and cement their PBA legacies under one franchise?