"Papunta ka pa lang, pabalik na ako" Photo credit: Slamonline.ph |
We opened the other SF entry by saying that it has a lot of history. Well, this one's got an even longer tale-- although a lot upsided than the Meralco Bolts would hope for.
"Papunta ka pa lang, pabalik na ako" Photo credit: Slamonline.ph |
To win, The Beast needs to be Unleashed (Photo by: Inquirer Sports) |
Although, we expect everyone to say all of the right things if only to move on from that incident. You know: the Calvin Abueva vs Terrence Jones skirmish that turned into a dance-off? Oh, and the Abueva vs Bobby Ray Parks, Jr.’s GF mouth-off?
Both incidents of course helped lead to the lengthy suspension of Phoenix’ mercurial star forward Abueva. To his credit, ‘The Beast’ has been on his bests behavior while in the bubble, even if some players are starting to get physical with him (shout-out to Magnolia’s Jackson Corpuz).
So yes, there is bad blood there. Abueva was even quoted about how he apologized to Parks during a chance encounter inside the bubble— an episode that was flatly brushed off by Parks. Just keep an eye on those two. Parks will most likely not engage Abueva, but we’re willing to bet the farm that come Game 3,4 or 5, these two will be reacquainted soon enough.
So here’s what we know, by the numbers.
Phoenix is shooting 35% from deep (thank you Matthew Wright) to TNT’s 29% (they just keep shooting 3s or die trying). They are also moving the basketball at a very efficient rate, with 25 assists per game (versus 17 tournovers) thanks in large part to Abueva (7 per game) and Wright (6). Big man Justin Chua is also making a good name for himself, leading the league in blocks per game with 2.
So where does TNT have the advantage?
The Natural. (Photo: Rappler.com) |
The TNT Giga are lording it over the PBA Philippine Cup with an unblemished record, thanks in large part to it's rejigged starting unit which in our POV could easily banner flag and country in any international meet. Perennial all star point guard Jayson Castro, Roger Pogoy, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Troy Rosario and the recently acquired JP Erram are all averaging double figures in a very well-balanced front.
And unlike their rivals, their San Miguel Beermen and the dreaded "Death Five," these guys aren't playing 38-40 minutes a night. Erram's averaging about 25 while Castro is logging in about 27 or 28. That pretty much tells you how good this Giga team is, when the established team ace (Castro) isn't even being forced to play (and do) so much on the court.
Thank you Kelly
(Photo: Inquirer.net)
This took a while to compose, mostly because this writer was caught up in all things pandemic and trying my best to keep a sane outlook in spite of the now regular "death alerts" on social media. It's pretty much academic by now, never a day goes by wherein you don't see one of your friends mourning the loss of a loved one.
"Condolence" is the new "Kamusta ka na?" in the year 2020.
So before we all start sulking again, let us celebrate the PBA career of one "Machine Gun" Kelly Williams, the former PBA MVP who opted to retire just a few weeks before the PBA restart instead of suiting up for the TNT Giga.
Overall, Williams' best body of work came in his first few years in the PBA. When he starred for the now defunct Santa Lucia Realtors (later on bought by today's Meralco Bolts) alongside aging stars Marlou Aquino and Dennis Espino. He led a team of underdogs, with teammates Denok Miranda, Bitoy Omolon, Paolo Mendoza and Joseph Yeo to a title and several deep playoff runs. When the Realtors were about to fold, they sent him to TNT with defensive hound Ryan Reyes where they would enjoy even more title runs together while quietly serving as TNT's pillars with Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro and Ranidel de Ocampo.
I remember watching Williams in the PBL, where his team (Viva was it?) was bannered mostly by UAAP powerhouse FEU stalwarts Miranda and chief rival Arwind Santos. Williams could run, rebound, and basically do all the things you'd want or dream of from a 6"7 wing. He didn't have much of a jumpshot, but prior to Williams we just haven't seen that kind of monster from a local (if Danny Seigle were a legit U.S. 2, then Williams is a 3 who bullied the smaller Filipino competition).
"Ako ang nagtanim, iba ang umani."
"Pandemic ka lang, Pilipino kami!"
Initially, this writer was against the idea of the PBA carrying out another season during the pandemic. Thankfully, the NBA showed everyone that it could be done in a controlled environment with stringent practices in place (so in a way Aldin Ayo of UST was on to something-- no? Too early? Okay). So here we are, or here they are, playing games on a break neck pace, double headers everyday that leaves fans who have been dying to see their idols back on the court.
More than anything, these players, the coaches, the ballboys, the PBA as a whole, are heroes. Maybe not as much as the medical frontliners, but definitely up there when it comes to providing us fans with Grade A entertainment to help take our minds off this pandemic and the paranoia that it brings.
Calvin Abueva. |
Calvin Abueva.
Some say the troubled Phoenix LPG Fuel Masters wingman is the embodiment of all things Pinoy old school basketball. Others argue that he is an irritant, an uneducated, unfiltered troublemaker who seeks and thrives in all of the media attention.
Currently, he is serving an indefinite suspension-- the longest in league history, since June 2019. PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial has gone on record several times to say that there's a 'to do list' for Abueva to be able to have his suspension lifted, with the Final decision still up to the board.
There are those who wish for Abueva to be reinstated, if only to be able to provide a decent living for his family, given the length of the days that he has already served. There are those who wish for the league to kick Abueva out of the PBA altogether, to serve as an example for what not to do as a professional basketball player.
Bubble popped. (Photo by: Rappler.com) |
June Mar Fajardo. 6x PBA MVP. Photo: CNN Philippines |
Act III (Photo credit: ABS CBN Sports) |
Gilas 2023 (Photo: ABS CBN Sports) |
The first, first pick? err (Photo: spin.ph) |
At this point, I'm just surprised that The Dean hasn't given him a moniker yet. (Photo credit: Sports.inquirer.net) |
Go number 1? (Photo credit: ABS CBN Sports) |
McDaniels vs Durham (Photo credit: Hoops PH) |
Who runs the GovCup? (Photo credit: ABS CBN Sports) |
The right Terrence for TNT (Photo courtesy |
Bagong ka-Barangay (Photo: ABS CBN Sports) |
Standhardinger: Out of place (Photo: Inquirer Sports) |
A moment of peace (Photo: PhilStar.com) |
Here we go (Photo: ABS CBN News) |
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