Sunday, March 5, 2017

Ganado pa din

Just a little bit more
(Photo credit: interaksyon.com)
Congratulations, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel!

You may not have won the PBA Philippine Cup title, but as far as Coach Tim Cone and the "Cone Era" goes, you guys are still on the right path. One championship, two finals conference appearances in only four conferences. With those two appearances being played minus your cornerstone, 7"0 Greg Slaughter. That says a lot about the team, where it is right now, and where it is headed.

So don't fret. Us "haters" will try our best to milk the whole "kang kong" rib, because once Slaughter comes back and Coach Tim makes a few more adjustments, it might as well be our very last time to make a laughing stock out of you guys.

Give us a break, you already outnumber us non-Ginebra fans a million to one, so anytime we can get a rib in we will.

1st runner-up.

That's not so bad.

Saturday, March 4, 2017

Never say die

Ano na, Coach?
(Photo credit: Inquirer.net)
Kung may pagkakataon man na patunayan ng Barangay Ginebra San Miguel sa mga tiga hanga nila at maging sa sarili nila ang katagang "Never say die," eto na yun.

Isang talo na lang, tapos na ang lahat. Bubuhos ang beer. Perpetual Trophy para sa San Miguel Beermen, isa na namang malaking kwento ng tagumpay sa sinusulat pa lamang na biag ni 3x PBA MVP Junemar Fajardo.

Kailangan ng Ginebra manalo ng tatlong sunod upang magkampyon. Kinailangan nilang manalo ng dalawang sunod kontra ang Alaska Aces nitong PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals. Kinailangan nilang bumawi matapos mahulog ng 0-2 kontra Star Hotshots sa semifinals. Ngayon, kailangan nilang bumangon muli, Never Say Die, para manalo ng 3-4.

Pero paano?

Saturday, February 25, 2017

Homecourt advantage

Dream BIG.
(Photo credit: smartgilasbasketball.com)
The dream has become so much bigger than simply ruling the South East Asian region. The dream is now to conquer Asia in hopes of making it into the global basketball conversation.

Call the upcoming SEABA tournament slated from May 12 to 18 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum as phase one.

We already know who is part of the 24-man Gilas pool:

The Cadets, who are mandated to suit up:
1. Carl Bryan Cruz (Alaska)
2. Kevin Ferrer (Ginebra)
3. Mac Belo (Blackwater)
4. Von Pessumal (Globalport)
5. Russel Escoto (Mahindra)
6. Ed Daquioag (Meralco)
7. Alfonzo Gotladera (NLEX)
8. Matthew Wright (Phoenix)
9. Mike Tolomia (Rain or Shine)
10. Arnold Van Opstal (San Miguel)
11. Jio Jalalon (Star)
12. RR Pogoy (TNT)

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

The agony of defeat

Off to a good start
(Photo credit: pba.online.net)
You wake up at the sound of your morning alarm, ending your peaceful slumber that granted you a few hours’ rest. Today you should be getting ready for the PBA Finals press conference, to be held at some fancy buffet restaurant, ready to trade pleasantries and inside barbs with your opponents and the press. Today should’ve been the day that you take one step closer to greatness.

But it isn’t.

Instead you sit and sulk, wanting to avoid any sports replays or news. You’ll catch the game later, and will definitely attend your next team practice. But today just isn’t the day.

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

PBA Ph C F: 1 San Miguel V 7 Ginebra

Ginebra is on the rise
(Photo credit: sports5.ph)
Call it a date with destiny.

When Tim Cone was transplanted from his grand slam throne with the Star Hotshots to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, expectations of turning the franchise around and multiple title runs were the norm. Everyone agreed that if anyone could make Ginebra’s giants, 7”0 Greg Slaughter and 6”9 Japeth Aguilar, regular fixtures in the PBA Playoffs and Finals it could be no one else but Cone.

And following that same logic, a fantasy showdown was born: Cone’s Ginebra versus the league’s current crème dela crème; San Miguel Beer and its own giant: the reigning 3x PBA MVP, 6”10, Junemar Fajardo.

Last season, San Miguel won its 2nd straight PBA Philippine Cup title which further cemented the supremacy of its local cast while Ginebra, only three conferences into the Cone Era, ended the season with a title of its own.

Sunday, February 19, 2017

Trade RXN: Jazul for Enciso

RJ Jazul to Phoenix
(Photo credit: Inquirer.net)
Well that's one way to keep yourself busy in between conferences.

After sending big man Prince Caperal to the Mahindra Floodbusters for rookie Joseph Eriobu, the Phoenix Fuel Masters have also decided to ship Simon Enciso to the Alaska Aces for veteran gunner RJ Jazul.

On the surface, it sounds a bit like the Aces won the trade since Enciso is coming off a great start to the season with averages of 34mpg 13ppg 3rpg 4apg while Jazul has mostly been the designated shooter off the bench. However, a closer look would show that Jazul isn't that far behind with his 24/ 10/ 3/ 3 statline.

So why make the trade?

Saturday, February 18, 2017

Trade RXN: Caperal for Eriobu

Keep an eye on this one.

The Mahindra Floodbusters have agreed in principle to send 6"4 wing rookie Joseph Eriobu to the Phoenix Fuel Masters in exchange for 6"6 big Prince Caperal. We ask that you keep an eye on these two gentlemen, since we believe that they are poised to become solid and serviceable PBA players in the next few years.

Give the Floorbusters and Coach Chris Gavina an A for acquiring Caperal, just weeks removed from losing prized Gilas pick Russel Escoto to a knee injury. Caperal is a solid big man who rebounds, defends, knocks down 15 to 17 ft jumpers AND runs the floor. Though we don't expect Caperal to suddenly improve his Fuel Masters' averages of 19 minutes, 6 points and 6 rebounds, he will be a great building block moving forward. If Caperal plays his cards right, he could easily start at the 4/5 spot should Coach Gavina go big together with an import. Then, once Escoto returns, you are looking at quite the tall and promising frontline.

Sunday, February 12, 2017

Remember the name

Lethal Star
(Photo credit to the owner)
Paul Lee has always been special.

It was just rather unfortunate that it took being traded to the Star Hotshots for everyone to finally take notice. Real basketball fans know who Lee is and how cold-blooded he is, specially in the clutch. But the casual fans, those who see the points and face value more than the game? Those who don't pay attention to stats and efficiency and all the other nerdy things that make basketball so much fun? Not so much.

How could they cheer for a guy who goes by the moniker "Angas ng Tondo" anyway? Bald head, goat-tee, gangsta-look and all? How could they cheer a guy who barely smiles to the crowd or even notices his own fans, casually shaking-off game winners like it's just something he does regularly, like breathing? Check the tape. Most guys would throw a fist, howl, scream, run to the crowd and go "THIS IS MY HOUSE"-- anything.

Lee?

#putakalma

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

PBA Ph C SF: 3 Star V 7 Ginebra

Galit galit muna, parekoy
(Photo credit: philstar.com)
Finally, the marketing genius that is "Manila Classico" can finally be able to live up to its own hype.

When the term was brilliantly coined, it was driven more because of the growing popularity of the Star Hotshots (re: Purefoods) which was slowly challenging that of Barangay Ginebra's. Sure, Star always had fans, but it was more because they always had TV matinee idol-looking players who could play very well and resonated more with a specific audience. Ginebra? They're the people's team. They're the team that went from chanting "Diego" towards a heated opponent before showering him with "Pogi" when he joined them later in his career.

But they were never really rivals. Far from it. Star was winning titles left and right and was a perennial contender. Ginebra, was, well, Ginebra.

The script was flipped when Ginebra landed Star's grand slam coach Tim Cone and started putting the pieces together. They won a title in Cone's first year, they're now being taken seriously as a defensive unit. Star suffered a brief setback last season (re: the Jason Webb experiment) but appear to be back on track under new head coach Chito Victolero. So now, we can talk rivalry. Because Ginebra appears to be building towards a new dynasty to challenge San Miguel, while Star still has the grand slam core (a very young one at that) while adding famed Ginebra-killer Paul Lee.

Oh you think we're going over board with the "Ginebra Killer" tag? YouTube: Paul Lee + Ginebra.

You're welcome.

Monday, February 6, 2017

PBA Ph C SF 1 San Miguel v 4 TNT

Country's best players 1A, 1B
(Photo credit: pba-online.net)
Thank you Alex Cabagnot.

This corporate rivalry that has spilled on the hardcourt badly needed that "arrow" of yours, if only because Team MVP (through TNT Katropa) wasn't holding up its end of the bargain. While San Miguel Beer kept winning title after title, post-Chot Reyes TNT started to pile up the losses and early playoff exits.

Even their last title romp, over Rain or Shine just a few conferences back, can be marked with an asterisk because San Miguel's key players were hurt during that same conference so they can never really lay claim supremacy. Also, then TNT import Ivan Johnson simply went berserk against the whole league (in a good, basketball way of course)

So yeah, shoot those arrows and post those tweets. Keep them coming (because we sure as hell know that most of the guys on the roster, specially from TNT, won't really look to exchange violent, non-basketball related blows). Would love to see Gabby Espinas and Ranidel de Ocampo get into it. Maybe Arwind Santos and Kelly Williams. Ross' pesky defense versus Castro's genius.
Light up the fireworks.

Here are the match-ups:

Saturday, February 4, 2017

PBA Ph C QF: 1 San Miguel v 8 Rain or Shine

Lassiter v Cruz will be key
(Photo credit: pba-online.net)
Will San Miguel waltz into the next round or will Rain or Shine prove (to itself, above all) that there is indeed life after Yeng Guiao and Paul Lee?

There are a lot of questions going on between this odd pairing, mostly because RoS on paper is a much better team than their lowly seeding would suggest. Can they beat San Miguel? History says they can, and on paper, while they do not have anyone standing on equal footing as San Miguel's 3x PBA MVP Junemar Fajardo and his backup Yancy de Ocampo, they are quite tall over-all.

Like, average height of roughly 6"3 spread around, tall AND wide.

Let's review the match-ups:

Thursday, February 2, 2017

PBA PhC QF: 2 Alaska vs 7 Ginebra

NGANGA
(Photo credit: Sports5)
No Quit Squad v Never Say Die.

Ginebra is not the team you'd want to face in the Playoffs, despite their low seeding. However, Alaska is also not the team that you'd want to face on the same stage, unless you're San Miguel and pretty much own their asses until proven otherwise.

So here is what we know: Alaska beat Ginebra 101-86 in a game wherein Japeth Aguilar, who is having a great conference so far, had some drama which resulted in him being disciplined by Coach Tim Cone by way of coming off the bench. This move backfired somewhat, because Aguilar dutifuly responded by scoring 12 points on 10 shots with ZERO rebounds in 23 minutes.
ZERO rebounds for a 6"9 guy who is unmatched by the other team.

Some things never change. Lol.

PBA PhC QF: 3 Star v 6 Phoenix

Hotshot.
(Photo credit: purefoodsbasketball.com)
Which team will shine brighter: the Star Hotshots or the Phoenix Fuel Masters?

If take a quick look at the elimination round of the PBA Philippine Cup, it doesn't look too good for Phoenix Coach Ariel Vanguardia and his wards. The Hotshots beat the Fuel Masters 123-79, early in the conference, when Coach Chito Victolero was still tinkering with his line-up and they were trying to establish a new culture.

Today we are looking at a rather dominant Hotshots team that not only scores the basketball, but also plays sound, aggressive defense.

Uh-oh.

PBA PhC QF: 4 TNT v 5 GP

To be the Man, you have to beat THE Man
(Photo credit: smartgilasbasketball.com)
This match-up is going to be quite interesting: a re-calibrated championship team going up against young up-and-comers who want to take over the basketball world.

Ladies and gentlemen the PBA gives to you: 4th seed TNT Katropa versus the 5th seed GlobalPort Batang Pier. On one side is the King of the Jungle, FIBA Asia all-star guard Jayson Castro, and on the other stands the young lion, Terrence Romeo.

But if you are expecting a plain, old school shootout between the two, we doubt that TNT's going to be a willing dance partner given their spread-out, "collegiate" approach.

Sunday, January 29, 2017

Natural born killer

Mamba Mentality
(Photo credit: gmanetwork.com)
Terrence Romeo just dropped 44 points on the Rain or Shine Elastopainters.

We repeat, forty-four points to go with 6 rebounds and the same number of assists. If you took away today's match up versus RoS' angry lot of shooting guards and small forwards, Romeo is still averaging a league-best 27ppg to go with 4rpg and 6apg on an absurd 44% clip from 2-point territory and 43% from 3.

What separates Romeo from all the other gifted scorers that we have seen both past and present, is that he doesn't appear to be quite the forgiving type. He will score at you in bunches, and will not stop pressing down your throat with his foot not until Coach Franz Pumaren yanks him out of the game or reminds him to let Stanley Pringle and friends join in the fun.

Ginebra's new offense

Holding it down
(Photo credit: Sports5.ph)
No, it's not the Triangle.

Coach Tim Cone and his wards have found life after their PBA Governor's Cup championship (and import Justin Brownlee), not to mention while playing minus franchise center 7"0 Greg Slaughter, by going against the current flow of the PBA game. While other teams have embraced a high-scoring approach with scores breaking the century mark, Ginebra has taken a more defensive stand anchored on efficiency.

The team currently leads the league per game in: points allowed at 84 ppg (vs 86 ppg for them); 2-pt field goal percentage at 37%; and assists at 23. Ginebra has also made a conscious effort in not falling in love with the three-ball, taking a league-last 18 attempts per game (though you could argue that it's merely because they do not have the specialists at the moment to do so).

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Katropa U

Trying the college approach.
(Photo credit: Inquirer.net)
When Nash Racela took over for Jong Uichico as head coach of TNT Katropa in the off-season, he made two things clear: 1) the return of the dribble drive offense and 2) TNT will play like a college team.

So far, both points have come into fruition though the team is currently standing on a shaky win-loss record. Honestly, they could have easily been closer to the top, but they were surprisingly bested by cellar-dwelling sister teams Meralco (Ed Daquioag went HAM) and NLEX (Pampanga homecourt).

A closer look at TNT shows that 10 guys are playing 20+ minutes per game with six scoring in double digits. What is even more surprising is that Larry Fonacier is leading the team in minutes with 28mpg 11ppg 3rg 2apg followed by star guard Jayson Castro 27/19/3/6, while both coming off the bench. They are supported by Troy Rosario 25/13/7/1 , Ryan Reyes, 24/7/3/3, Roger Pogoy 23/6/3/1, Ranidel de Ocampo 22/13/6/3 and Kelly Williams 21/10/6/1.

Sunday, January 22, 2017

New breed

Green reunion at Gilas
(Photo credit: Spin.ph)
When Coach Chot Reyes said that we should be ready for a few surprises once he announces the 24-man Gilas pool, he didn't mention that we were in for a full-on youth movement altogether.

Still, he made a great point in saying that we are looking at the big picture which is 2019-2020 FIBA competition, while also utilizing some of the younger players who were part of his original Gilas silver medal program (and then some).

We are already quite familiar with the Gilas cadets and the following names such as Calvin Abueva (Alaska), Japeth Aguilar (Ginebra), Terrence Romeo (GlobalPort), Junemar Fajardo (San Miguel), Paul Lee (Star) and Jayson Castro (TNT), so here is our take on the "new guys" who were added into the mix to form a more youthful pool.

Gilas 24-man pool announced

Here comes the BOOM
(Photo credit: slamonline.ph)
After today's Alaska Aces vs Mahindra Floodbusters game which the Aces won, Coach Chot Reyes and some of the SBP and PBA big wigs took to the PhilSports Arena hardcourt to announce the 24-man Gilas pool:

Already assured of spots were the Gilas cadets, as per the previous agreement:

Gilas cadets

Carl Bryan Cruz (Alaska)
Kevin Ferrer (Ginebra)
Mac Belo (Blackwater)
Von Pessumal (Globalport)
Russel Escoto (Mahindra)
Ed Daquioag (Meralco)
Alfonzo Gotladera (NLEX)
Matthew Wright (Phoenix)
Mike Tolomia (Rain or Shine)
Arnold Van Opstal (San Miguel)
Jio Jalalon (Star)
RR Pogoy (TNT)

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Ikaw na ba si Mr. (W)right?

The Wright stuff
(Photo credit: Sports5)
Yes, we just used that sappy line from a wonderful local ditty as our title and we feel no remorse or shame.

Why would we, when Gilas rookie and Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters' small forward Matthew Wright is making believers out of just about anyone who has seen him play in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup? Wright has impressed so far, with a high usage rate of 34 mpg and averages of 19 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.

Obviously, his familiarity with  head coach Ariel Vanguardia has played in the amount of minutes  that he is currently enjoying. He could be playing behind veteran teammate JC Intal, who is also having quite the conference, but Coach Ariel has often shifted the Fil-Canadian to either SG or SF, depending on the situation and match-ups.
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