KKS Basketbol Pilipinas

The New World Order

2025-11-02T00:00:00.003+08:00

Photo: PampangaNewsNow

The Converge FiberXers have officially put the PBA on notice.

It took a few seasons to get to where they are now — from the time they took over the Alaska Aces/Milkmen franchise and seemingly struggled despite having a formidable collegiate champion coach in Aldin Ayo at the helm. Back then, they looked like an expansion team trying to stay afloat, forced to let go of established holdovers and “settling” for either losing those players for less (Jeron Teng) or, worse, for nothing at all (Maverick Ahanmisi).

Little did we know — or perhaps, as fate would have it — they simply needed time and flexibility to make the right moves. Enter names like Jacob Lao (who quietly exited but is now back), Charles Tiu, Rajko Toroman, and of course, the big boss — the El Patrón of Pampanga basketball — Pampanga Vice Governor Delta Pineda, who went from being a consultant/assistant to now a full-time head coach.

With Delta at the helm, major moves followed. They had to let go of Jordan Heading, whom they acquired for next to nothing, in exchange for TNT’s Mikey Williams. It didn’t work out as they’d hoped — Williams has yet to sign — but the move probably allowed them to save enough money to sign more of Delta’s type of players. They also managed to trade up for the 2025 Draft’s second overall pick, Juan Gomez de Liaño, who, a few games in, already looks like the missing “alpha” for their promising core of Justin Arana, Justine Baltazar, Schonny Winston, and Alec Stockton.

And when we say “Delta’s type of players,” we’re talking about the hungry young names from his Delta stable — those he coached with the MPBL’s Pampanga Giant Lanterns — already battle-tested and some even champion-bred from the last MPBL season.

Suddenly, the fanbase is back and thriving. Some hardcore supporters are being rewarded for their patience and passion. And suddenly, there’s another big dog in the yard. Not just the mighty SMC or MVP houses, or the constantly rebuilding hit-or-miss Rain or Shine. Here’s an actual independent team — with no affiliations or need for SMC or MVP money to stay afloat — that can play at par. At least, from what we’ve seen so far.

Money? They can shell out just as much. Coaches? They arguably have the best in the land not named Cone, Baldwin, or Reyes — with Toroman supporting Delta. And just for good measure, they also have Serbian youth coach Djordje Jovicic helping out. You can bet Delta’s putting both to work in helping him refine his Xs and Os.

After all, the man can only wear so many hats.

So what does this mean for Converge?

They’ve built a young enough superstar core — and have the resources to keep them together — to compete with the league’s best. They have great size up front with the brutish Arana, who commands double teams with his low-post forays. Baltazar is another headache — taller, slimmer, but more mobile and a willing shot blocker. He balances out Arana’s limitations on both ends of the court. And because he knows Arana will almost always occupy the paint, Baltazar is free to roam, set screens, shoot, and use his length to full effect.

The guards — Winston, Stockton, and JGDL — are almost identical in how they can get up and down the floor, shoot, and drive to the rim. The difference in strength shows with JGDL, who looks like a power forward with his build, while Winston and Stockton are the more fluid slashers. When it comes to basketball IQ, JGDL and Stockton are arguably two of the best young guards out there, with the game to back it up. Winston relies more on athleticism than IQ, but that’s an easy fix when playing alongside the other two.

I honestly think a championship parade is on the horizon. Maybe not yet, but they’ll be crashing the Finals soon enough. And I hope this marks the start of a new world order in the PBA — with a hungry, young team making waves and challenging the status quo.

Here’s to hoping they deliver. After all, this was one of the reasons Alaska’s Wilfred Uytengsu reportedly sold the team to Converge and the people involved: to create a new bully to face the other bullies.

Let’s see who’s top dog — if Delta is indeed the new Alpha.

Stand Defiant

2025-10-10T04:30:00.002+08:00

Forty-one points.

Photo: Rappler.com

Not bad for a 37-year-old — once an eccentric superstar, now a role-playing journeyman who not too long ago seemed destined to fade out of the league.

Of course, Calvin Abueva’s lingering star power still carried enough weight for the PBA board to greenlight the trade that sent him from Magnolia to NorthPort — in exchange for a supposedly rising star (who has since chased greener pastures).

Let’s be honest — at the time, it felt like a banishment. NorthPort has long been seen as a kind of basketball purgatory, a place where once-vibrant careers go to quietly fade away. You’ve seen the pattern: from being heavily used, to mysteriously injured, to racking up DNPs until — poof — off the roster by the next conference. Just ask Willie Miller, Sol Mercado, Mac Cardona, Arwind Santos, Alex Cabagnot.

If you’ve followed the league long enough, you’ve probably noticed the trend. NorthPort or Terra Firma often ends up as the final stop for aging or underperforming San Miguel Corporation players, while Blackwater plays that role for the MVP group.

So when Abueva was shipped out, it looked like the endgame.

This was the Beast, after all — the fiery forward from Pampanga whose boundless energy once reignited fans’ passion for the PBA during a time when collegiate and amateur basketball were stealing the spotlight. He was raw, emotional, sometimes uncontrollable — even suspended at one point for letting his emotions boil over. But he was never dull. He was alive.

Now at 37, Abueva’s shot at another championship seems slim. His current team, the debuting Titan Ultra Maxx Giant Risers, probably won’t bring him back to the mountaintop. But that doesn’t mean his story is done.

What he can do is control his own destiny. Keep playing with the same ferocity, the same reckless energy that made him unforgettable in the first place.

Because for a player like Calvin Abueva, the real victory has never been about the championship banners.

It’s about defying time, expectations, and the slow fade into obscurity.

It’s about standing defiant — still the Beast, still burning.

Fajardo IX

2025-10-06T00:40:00.005+08:00

Photo: OneSports.ph

Fifty years from now, long after our generation has crossed that golden bridge in the sky, and if the PBA still thrives, people will speak of the legend of one man who ruled Philippine basketball for what now feels like two decades.

He dominated so completely that most teams eventually abandoned the concept of low-post basketball — which was still effective domestically — in favor of faster, perimeter-oriented play built on fast breaks and threes, just to stand a chance.

And yet, there he stood: tall, strong, and unshakable. A quiet and humble giant with a dominating presence. That man is the newly minted 9-time PBA MVP, Junemar Fajardo of the San Miguel Beermen. He owns 11 championships in 13 years (as of today) — and could easily have had more if not for injuries or brief coaching missteps that shifted the team’s direction for a season or two.

We may never see another player match Fajardo’s mastery of the low post. Not in this era of 6’10” to 7’0” players like Kai Sotto, AJ Edu, and Quentin Millora-Brown, all leaning into the modern, face-up style of play. There may be challengers to his throne, but will we ever see another player win nine MVPs in 13 years? It’s hard to imagine.

We’ve seen giants before — perhaps just as talented, perhaps as dominant — from Asi Taulava to Marlou Aquino, this blog’s very namesake. But none have had a run quite like Fajardo. In all his 13 PBA seasons, he’s been a double-double machine — always a threat, even when not the focal point of the offense. You would never catch him on “cruise control.” He goes to work every possession: sealing his man deep, setting bone-crushing screens, doing whatever it takes to win.

He could be the alpha. He could be the omega. Or he could simply be the decoy.

Whatever role is asked of him — he does it, if it means a shot at another title.

And that’s what makes him legendary.

Now at 35, we’re beginning to see time catch up. Not that he was ever fleet-footed, but the signs are there. Fast-paced offenses with smaller, quicker bigs are finding ways to exploit him in the pick-and-roll and in switches. Slowly but surely, his defense is being tested.

But isn’t that how most basketball stories go? As age sets in, the body fades but the mind sharpens. The touch, the jumper, the reads — they age like fine wine. Experience takes over. And yet, Father Time remains undefeated. Still, until that day comes, Junemar Fajardo remains the standard.

A 9-time MVP — and counting.

And I’ll be the first to say it: I truly believe he’ll reach 10 (or more) before it’s all said and done.

Grand Slam Denied

2025-09-13T06:37:00.003+08:00

TNT Tropang Giga were on the verge of basketball immortality. Under Coach Chot Reyes and his new defensive philosophy, they carved out two straight championships—both at the expense of their long-time rivals, Barangay Ginebra. Back-to-back titles against the league’s most popular team? That alone was sweet, parang extra rice na libre sa karinderya. But what made it sweeter was the looming prize: a shot at the Grand Slam.

With Rondae Hollis-Jefferson doing a little bit of everything (scoring, rebounding, defending, at baka nagbabantay pa ng parking sa Araneta), Jayson Castro proving age is just a number, Rey Nambatac bringing extra firepower, and Jordan Heading joining the mix for the All-Filipino, TNT looked like they had the perfect recipe. Fans could already smell history—three straight titles, Grand Slam glory.

But in the Grand Slam All Filipino Finals, history had other plans—and its name was San Miguel Beermen. The mighty SMB frontline, the depth, and the championship pedigree proved too much. TNT’s gas tank finally ran dry, their shots clanked, and the dream slipped away. Parang nag-order ka ng 6-piece nuggets, tapos 5 lang ang laman. Ang sakit.

To be fair, beating Ginebra twice in a row is already the stuff of legend. That’s like slaying the dragon two times, only to get KO’d by the ka-barangay boss na mas malaki pala. TNT still had an incredible run, but missing out on the Grand Slam left fans with that familiar “sayang” feeling—like a jeep na nag-full stop two blocks before your actual stop.

So no Grand Slam for Tropang Giga this time. But hey, they gave us a wild ride, reminded us of the glory of back-to-backs, and proved they’re still one of the PBA’s standard-bearers.

And knowing TNT, hindi sila aatras—babalik ‘yan, dala ulit si Rondae, si Castro, at buong tropa… hoping na next time, walang bitin sa sinaing.

All Rise

2025-09-13T05:12:00.000+08:00

Big Game
(Photo: Wikipedia)

You know how some names just ring differently? You hear it, and immediately you’re back to a time when the coliseum shook, when every possession mattered, when the lights seemed a little brighter. For Magnolia fans, for Purefoods lifers, for PBA diehards—it’s James Carlos Yap Sr. Or better yet: Big Game James.

Two-time MVP. Seven-time champion. Countless game-winners. Face of a franchise. Poster boy of a generation. James Yap isn’t just a player you cheered for; he was the player you bragged about. The guy who could pull up from deep with defenders hanging on him, and still swish it like he was shooting in the driveway.

And let’s not sugarcoat it—without James Yap, the Purefoods/Magnolia legacy wouldn’t be what it is today. From the “Big Three” days with PJ Simon and Marc Pingris, to those unforgettable mano-a-mano showdowns with Ginebra and Mark Caguioa, Yap carried a franchise on his shoulders. He wasn’t just Magnolia’s closer. He was the identity.

Now, years later, with Yap already transitioning into public service and his on-court days winding down, the PBA world has one simple, no-brainer task: retire his jersey.

Yes. That iconic No. 18 needs to be up there in the rafters of Magnolia, alongside the names and numbers of legends who came before. Because honestly, who else embodies the Purefoods/Magnolia brand more than James Yap? He’s the bridge between generations—the Patrick Ewing of New York, the Dirk of Dallas, the Kobe of the Lakers, Jaworski of Ginebra. Players come and go, but guys like James are forever etched in the fabric of a franchise.

It’s not about stats anymore (though he’s got plenty). It’s about the moments. The clutch threes in semis. The Finals MVP runs. The times you yelled “WOOOOOOO!” when he hit a dagger. The moments where an entire arena believed because James had the ball in his hands. Para sa fans, walang kasing tamis ‘yung mga panalo na pinasaya ni James.

Magnolia Hotshots, hear it from the fans: the time has come. Give the man his flowers. Give him his ceremony. Hang that No. 18 high and let future generations of Hotshots know—that once upon a time, a kid from Escalante City lit up the league and made millions of us fall in love with basketball all over again.

Big Game James isn’t just a nickname. It’s a legacy. And legacies deserve rafters.

Still the Man

2025-09-13T00:14:00.001+08:00

Stanley Pringle
Photo: Inquirer Sports

In PBA circles, unrestricted free agency (UFA) is often viewed as the golden ticket—a chance for players to choose their own basketball destiny while enjoying the financial flexibility that comes with it.

So when 38-year-old Stanley Pringle signed with the Rain or Shine Elastopainters after completing his contract with TerraFirma Dyip, it felt like a refreshing change. Despite limited minutes with TF, he still produced solid numbers and proved he should have been on the radar of major contenders.

Pringle’s résumé speaks for itself: a former Best Player of the Conference, a four-time PBA champion, and a global basketball export. He remains healthy, explosive when needed, and effective in multiple tempos. Half court? He can orchestrate. Fast-paced transition? He can push the pace. His game isn’t reliant on sheer scoring—it’s about commanding the backcourt and shifting momentum.

Why Rain or Shine?

We can’t speak for Pringle’s decision, but his move feels like a win for basketball purists. Here’s a player who has done it all overseas and in the PBA. Instead of chasing a bigger paycheck with the league’s powerhouse franchises, he chose an independent team where he can compete, contribute, and mentor younger guards.

Pringle has always carried himself quietly and professionally. No drama on the court, no controversies off it. His game is efficient, defined more by craft than flash—save for the occasional reverse layup or hop step. He’s respected as an elite player, yet he doesn’t carry the bravado many of today’s younger, more “swagged” stars display.

Managing Expectations

Realistically, no one should expect Pringle to average 20 points a night. More likely, his role will resemble Paul Lee’s earlier Rain or Shine days—freedom to attack in isolation, but also responsibility to create for teammates. A 20-point outburst here and there isn’t out of the question, but his true value lies in steering the team to victories, particularly against the big-name squads.

Rain or Shine has been a consistent semifinalist, only to run into TNT Tropang Giga. Last season, veterans like Jayson Castro, Rey Nambatac, and Jordan Heading overwhelmed ROS’s young backcourt of Andrei Caracut and Anton Asistio. The youngsters fought hard—Asistio even had a breakout game in the semis—but the gap in experience was clear.

Pringle belongs in that same class as Castro and the other elite PBA guards. His arrival gives Rain or Shine a proven floor general who can steady the team when the pressure rises.

A More Even Playing Field

With fearless young guards, versatile three-and-D forwards, and the right import—like last year’s Thompson—Rain or Shine now looks more competitive. Add Pringle’s leadership and playoff-tested composure, and suddenly the matchup doesn’t feel so one-sided.

For Rain or Shine, signing Pringle isn’t just about numbers. It’s about balance, mentorship, and the belief that with the right mix, the gap between independents and powerhouses can narrow.

Because even at 38, Stan is still the man.

2025 PBA Draft Reaction

2025-09-07T22:19:00.004+08:00

Height is might in the PBA.
Geo Chiu 2025 PBA Draft 1st Pick
(Photo by OneSports.ph)

With the 2025 PBA Draft finally over, the dust settled and smoke cleared, Season 50 promises to offer a wave of excitement with a "new" team all set to make some noise.

And no, we are not talking about Pureblends/ Titan Maxx or whichever company decides to purchase NorthPort Batang Pier (should the sale push through in what local sports journos have been saying as a "lock, stock, and barrel" deal). We are talking about the Converge FiberXers, which appeared to be back in the hunt after looking a bit worrisome last season (following the exits of Jacob Lao and Charles Tiu). Lao of course, is back with the team, with Delta Pineda stepping in as head coach (armed with consultant Rajko Toroman).

But that's a long format entry for another day, today, let's focus on the up and coming future stars of the PBA. Let's go!

1. Geo Chiu, C, Terra Firma - during the combine, there was simply no denying that Chiu was a towering presence even if he didn't even break a sweat (literally, because he didn't participate in any of the physical activities). The kid is 6"9, has a strong looking build, and is mobile. Yes, he's raw, but he'll get time to develop on a team that you know, isn't really known for giving a F about winning. He's a project based on his whole college run, overseas run included, but still very young, looks like he's got a good head on him, and if he is able to put together 2-3 post moves, would still be okay in a league that doesn't really have a lot of locals standing over 6"7. At worst, he doesn't improve and simply fades away into obscurity. Grade: B-

2. Juan Gomez de Liano, PG, Converge - now this feels more like a traditional PBA Draft top pick. When teams that want to compete and improve their chances, actually went for a player who could help right away. Here's a ready-made leader, who can score, pass, make plays, and isn't a defensive liability. Honestly thought that he should've gone 1st, but just happy that he doesn't need to waste any more time on a team that's notorious for not wanting to win before being harvested elsewhere. At Converge, JGDL could start at 1, with Schonny Winston sliding to 2 and being relieved of point guard duties (which I feel he isn't really as good at vs just slashing and attacking). Grade: A

3. Dalph Panopio, PG, Blackwater - we all had a hunch that Panopio wasn't going to Ginebra or any SMC team-- not after what most said was an impressive tryout with the former. Blackwater gets a proven international-level PG who can orchestrate while also holding his own offensively. Would be interesting to see how he plays alongside resident sophomore star Sedrick Barefield, and you know, who among the two would eventually be moved to you know, one of the MVP teams. Eventually. But right now, BW got the 2nd best young talent available so I'll consider this a win. Grade: A

4. Chris Koon, SF, Northport - a tall and athletic wing who plays with a lot of grit armed with the Tab Baldwin seal of approval. Expected Koon to be an early pick, and NorthPort didn't take long to nab him right away even if maybe they needed a more established scorer moving forward if they were to keep veterans like Jio Jalalon and Calvin Abueva in the fold. Koon is the Will Navarro, Zav Lucero do over, and given his size, even if he played more at the 2 in college, could be easily moved to the PBA 3. Quiet, solid pick for a team that could be enjoying a change of scenery in the next few weeks. Grade: B

5. Ljay Gonzales, SG, NLEX - this pick was rather surprising, considering they still had an MVP brand name available in Yukien Andrada plus they added yet another backcourt scorer with Gonzales. In theory, would make a great backup and even partner for star Robert Bolick. Since Gonzales is known to be able to get to the rim while actually also being able to orchestrate. At FEU, while eyes were on RJ Abarrientos, could say that Gonzales was quietly also holding his own AND play defense. Which is big in today's points guard heavy generation. Grade: B

6. Yukien Andrada, PF, Magnolia - something's amiss. Solid talent, has PBA size to play 4, can sometimes slide to 3 even 5, but don't they have this with Zav Lucero and newly acquired Javi Gomez de Liano? Or is Yukien the Zav insurance policy just in case their prized forward chooses not to renew his contract and heads overseas? Still, best available talent at this spot, and would be surprised if Andrada doesn't make a name for himself in the PBA by Year 3. Grade: B

7. Jason Brickman, PG, Meralco - I have honestly run out of superlatives to use to describe Brickman. and maybe, because of his age, he fell to the 7th pick to a team that's aging fast just the same. Having Brickman on board will be a bit tricky for the Bolts, because they already have Chris Banchero and Aaron Black in the fold. Still, good problem to have. Just a bit, maybe, hopefully, Brickman still has enough gas in the tank (maybe do a Chris Ross and play til he's 40) to lead the Bolts. One thing's for sure, he can get the ball to people at their spots, something Chris Newsome would probably love. Grade: A

8. Will Gozum, PF, Phoenix - So that's why they traded down. Still got newly installed coach Willie Wilson's "hard-nosed forward" wish without having to pay the top rookie max contract. Curious to see if Gozum could find his Benilde MVP form with Phoenix. Was in a rut the year after, and then got hurt, recovered, but isn't really as impressive in the MPBL. Maybe he's just being careful, working his way back and all. Doesn't really address Phoenix need at the moment, since there's Jason Perkins at the PF spot and Gozum is too small to play C. Let's see how it goes, team still needs to make some improvements to get back to that Abueva-Wright Era level of play. Grade: B

9. Chris Miller, SG, San Miguel Beermen - Low risk, high reward. If he pans out as an international level export with deadly range, great. If he doesn't, there's no real loss for the Beermen because they've got a barrage of guys who offer the same skillset (if not better on the PBA level anyway). If we're Miller, all we need to do is stay ready. Those open looks will come playing alongside Junemar Fajardo. Maybe the focus should be on defense, just to earn some minutes first as an "older" rookie. Grade: B

10. Christian Manaytay, SF, Rain or Shine - Everyone had Manaytay going to Rain or Shine at either 10 or 12. Just has that Yeng Guiao brand feel. Hard-nosed, good sized wing. In theory, an improvement over Francis Escandor. Same build, but tougher. In our mock draft, felt that the focus now for RoS is to get taller overall and graduate from their Junior Varsity feels size-wise. Honestly though, thought that given the Combine performance, the next guy picked maybe could've been better at 10? Grade: B

11. Sonny Estil, SF, Ginebra - Combine MVP, wing, with range, toughness and in case you didn't know-- Delta Brand. Best available talent. He's going to have to scrap for his minutes, but with Jamie Malonzo flying to Japan, if Estil plays his cards right, could be part of the rotation by Year 2. My sleeper pick. Grade: A

12. Jun Roque, SG, Rain or Shine - Okay Coach Yeng, I see you. They're going to try to make the team taller all around instead of taking a chance on a big PF or C. Manaytay first, now Roque. Roque is the better scorer between their two picks, but Manaytay enjoys a bit more exposure/ potential having played in the more competitive UAAP (sorry NCAA fans, but we all know that the level of play in the UAAP is better with brains like Baldwin, Gold, Topex running things). At 6"4 and a known scorer, Roque could be another one of those Trollano, Clarito, Nocum finds for RoS. Grade: B

Who are you most excited to watch play in the PBA this season?

2025 PBA Mock Draft

2025-08-31T06:03:00.008+08:00

It’s that time of year again when team managers pretend they’ve watched college ball all season, agents slide into DMs, and fans pray their team won’t pick someone “for need.” Welcome to the 2025 PBA Draft—a smorgasbord of pass-first guards, system wings, and bigs who will either become rotation guys or footnote trivia in 2030.

We went deep into the archives, watched grainy Facebook Live streams, and scrolled through UAAP-NCAA highlights at 2AM to bring you this totally biased, occasionally logical, but mostly gut-feel mock draft.

O sige kayo na pogi, basta saken ang dateng.
Photo by FIBA basketball

Let’s go!

1. Terrafirma Dyip – Juan Gomez de Liaño, PG, Gilas / Everywhere Basketball Exists

The Dyip pick a player who actually has a chance of changing their franchise's fortunes. JGDL is him—crafty, confident, and clutch. Can run the break, shoot threes, and sell jerseys. May koneksyon kay coach, may following sa social media, may laro. Terrafirma finally drafts someone who doesn’t need 3 seasons to adjust. Yun lang, baka 1 season pa lang nalipat na.

2. Phoenix Super LPG – Jason Brickman, PG, ABL / Time Traveler

Look, age is just a number—unless you’re a rebuilding team drafting a 30-something point guard. But Brickman is special. He’s the human embodiment of a well-oiled offense. High IQ, elite passer, and zero bad habits (off or on the court). Phoenix goes the veteran route here, and honestly, who else is setting up Balungay, Perkins, Tio, and co. like this guy can?

3. Blackwater Bossing – Will Gozum, PF, NCAA MVP / Puso-powered Paint Beast

The Bossing need toughness, identity, and a guy who will dive for a loose ball even if it’s in the parking lot. Enter: Will Gozum. Undersized, yes. But this man eats contact for breakfast. Built like a tank, moves like a tank, plays like your classic “wala sa height, nasa sipag” enforcer. Blackwater just found their emotional leader.

4. NorthPort Batang Pier – Chris Koon, SF, Ateneo / 3-and-D with Brain Cells

Koon isn’t going to drop 30, but he will rotate correctly, box out, and knock down that open corner three. High-IQ glue guy who makes better players shine. For NorthPort, which usually drafts on vibes, this is a surprisingly sensible pick. Imagine a taller Don Trollano with Ateneo polish. Another Zav, Will in the making. Can be groomed, a little bit of seasoning, before, again, being harvested.

5. NLEX Road Warriors – Dalph Panopio, PG, Italy / Gilas / Visionary Guard

With Kevin Alas winding down and Matt Nieto still inconsistent, NLEX drafts a composed, European-trained point guard who plays like he’s always two steps ahead. Panopio can shoot, pass, defend, and not do too much—a coach’s dream. Might not be flashy, but he’ll make your offense flow like imported olive oil. This move will also allow main gunner Robert Bolick to move to 2, Xyrus Torres to 3.

6. Magnolia Hotshots – Geo Chiu, C, 6'11" / Growth Spurt Personified

Magnolia finally invests in a true big man—because Ian Sangalang can’t play 40 mins forever. Chiu is massive, has good hands, and has improved every season. Still raw in the post, but he sets ok screens, protects the rim, and looks like he could evolve into a legit two-way big with proper seasoning. The Hotshots now have a new project worth the minutes.

7. Meralco Bolts – Yukien Andrada, SF/PF, San Beda / Silent Operator

Andrada looks like he just got out of class, but plays like a vet. At San Beda, he spaced the floor, defended multiple positions, and stayed within system—basically, the Meralco blueprint. Not flashy, but reliable. Cliff Hodge 2.0? Maybe not as chaotic, but definitely cut from the same hustle cloth. Honestly, could be developed into their very own Calvin Oftana-lite. Or a bigger Bong Quinto.

8. Converge FiberXers – LJay Gonzales, SG, FEU / Lightning in High-Tops

Converge drafts a one-man fastbreak who plays like someone pressed turbo on the controller. LJay is still more slasher than shooter, but if you’re looking for speed, quickness, and full-court chaos, he’s your guy. Think Baser Amer with better handles and no fear of contact. May streakiness, but also may upside.

9. San Miguel Beermen – Chris Miller, SG, US NCAA / Ready-Made Role Player

SMB goes with a mature, polished shooter who can step in right away. Miller won’t wow you with athleticism, but he knows where to be, when to shoot, and how to defend without getting benched in 5 minutes. Ideal fit next to CJ Perez and Jericho Cruz—especially once Marcio Lassiter decides he’s had enough.

10. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters – Ladis Lepalam, C, Benilde / Old School Bruiser

He’s not here to space the floor or switch onto guards—Ladis is here to bang. Hard screens, box-outs, elbows when necessary. Lepalam brings back the energy of early-2000s big men—zero finesse, all muscle. Coach Yeng’s type through and through. He’ll get minutes, fouls, and a cult following in Tondo. Low risk, but very high reward. My ceiling for him at present is Manny Ramos. Who wasn't really THAT good, but was serviceable to say the least. 6"9, strong. Can learn the ropes from resident bruisers Belga and Clarito.

11. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel – Jun Roque, SG, 6’3”, NCAA MIP / Di pa sikat, pero malapit na

Of course Ginebra takes a potential fan favorite. Roque is raw but loaded with tools: size, athleticism, wingspan, and flashes of perimeter game. Under Tim Cone’s slow cooker system, he might redshirt a year—but when he’s ready, watch out. Could be the next “Who’s that guy? Oh wow, he’s good now.”

12. Rain or Shine (via TNT) – Christian Manaytay, SF, UST / Big stocky wing

Manaytay is the classic “gumagawa ng trabaho na walang napapansin” type of player. Known for his tenacious defense, smart rotations, and gritty rebounding, he’s exactly the kind of player Yeng Guiao loves to unleash on opposing wings. Not a scorer, but someone who makes life difficult for the best perimeter threats. If you want hustle, energy, and constant effort, Manaytay’s your man. Think along the lines of Maverick, Jericho, Don, even Nimes, Nuyles, that season when RoS went all in and BIG across all positions.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This draft is sneaky good. It’s got mature guards, system-ready wings, and a few bigs with enough grit to survive the PBA paint wars. No Sotto-level hype, but plenty of pang-matagalan picks.

Expect trades, surprises, and at least one team to go “off the board” just to prove they scouted someone in Pampanga at a barangay liga. But if it all goes according to plan? This batch could quietly be one of the most solid in recent years.

Who do you think will go where?

Golden Gilas

2023-10-07T11:25:00.001+08:00

Photo: Rappler.com

The Philippines' men's basketball team finally did it. We brought home the Gold Medal in the 2023 Asian Games, our first since 1962, and our first medal finish in basketball since 1998.

And even before we set foot on the hardcourt, we were already met with the following challenges:

A roster that was constructed and finalized with only days left before the tournament. A coach who took on the job despite having such a short turnaround time (following his predecessor's resignation) and only a handful of players available from the World Cup roster. So-called veteran sports journalists and columnists throwing salt at the team and spreading rumors of a pullout and a 'new coach' in the background.

Once in China, we won two games while losing via a blowout to eventual Gold medal match dance partners, Rondae Hollis Jefferson and the Jordan men's basketball team. There were chemistry issues, some rotation, and offensive sets that looked lacking-- obviously from a lack of preparation and time together. But the team kept pushing forward, kept hustling. There was a blown 20-point lead versus Iran. And there was the huge 20-point comeback versus hosts China.

Oh, that China match was one for the books.

It was so beautiful to watch, that yes, like most, we simply had to watch it over and over and over again.

We climbed back from 20+ points, and it really did look like our Gilas were simply too tired to even mount a comeback with 2 minutes left and facing a 9-point lead. But then, collectively, our guys kept hustling, kept keeping the ball alive, enough for Justin Brownlee to do his thing and take over with 8 points (a floater, a step-back three, and another three over two capable Chinese defenders to give us the 1 point cushion to win it).

Had we lost in the medal match, we wouldn't have cared less. That was our gold medal match right there, that was adrenaline-pumping basketball. Beautiful, ugly, chaotic, mesmerizing. Brownlee further cemented his GOAT status in the eyes of Philippine basketball fans, even turning his haters and those who simply love to pit him against fellow naturalized player Jordan Clarkson into believers.

For the record, Clarkson is in the NBA for a reason. He's also the younger player. The system that was run for him in the World Cup, simply left a bad taste in the mouths and minds of those who know their basketball. Simple as that. We love Clarkson. We hated the iso-Clarkson-centric offense that we put on display for all the world to see, which made the entire Gilas roster look incapable.

Brownlee on the other hand, is a different type of player. He is a system player who fits Coach Tim Cone's offense perfectly. He knows when and where to takeover, and boy did he ever.

But just when we all thought that the win over China was the creme de la creme, the best that we could ever salvage in this tournament, Gilas went to work versus Jordan in the Gold medal match.

It was ugly. The first quarter, I thought that both teams were out of rhythm. Clanking shots. Bungling dribble penetrations. But then I noticed a pattern. That every time Gilas brought the ball down, they would hold on to the ball a bit longer than usual. They would run their offense with 12 seconds on the shot clock or less. This was ugly, grit and grind, slowbreak basketball that would drive today's generation into madness. There were no swooshes, aahs, and oohs, Hollis-Jefferson simply had no space to mimic his idol Kobe Bryant's dance moves on the perimeter.

This was an old Batman facing the leader of the Mutants, scrapping in knee-deep mud to negate whatever advantage the other side had.

Coming into the match, Jordan was the number one offensive force in the tournament. Their point guard, Ibrahim, will be a force at the 1 spot for the next few years. RHJ and their other import, were spectacular in open court, free-flowing, space and pace basketball. They ran and shot teams to the ground.

That wasn't the case in this one. An off night from the outside paired with some rugged, stifling defense from Gilas derailed the Jordanians and forced them out of their comfort zone. Suddenly, Hollis-Jefferson could not create as he was locked up by Chris Newsome and the help defense. The locals were finding it hard to scrap with the more physical Gilas side, which surprisingly benefited from the referees allowing both teams to simply play their games to the hilt as long as it was in a basketball context.

There were elbows, arm locks, handchecks, pushing and shoving from both sides-- but the referees just let them play.

Of the two, Gilas looked more comfortable with the slow and physical pace of the game. Even when Jordan tied it to end the half, the scores were considerably low at 31-31. It felt like we were watching an old 90s NCAA/ UAAP game were there were simply an absence of elite scoring and offensive sets. It was that ugly.

Ugly, by design.

In the second half, the Jordanians looked like they were now waist-deep in filth. They simply could not run. Could not move the ball or swing it outside. Their shooters were off, the shots were rushed-- a natural reaction when you see defenders swarming on the switch. Panicked. Pressured. This is the Gold medal game, after all.

You could also say that they weren't as tested as Gilas. They had the easier games en route to the Gold. We had them, Iran, and China. They had a cakewalk through Chinese Taipei in the semifinals. We had to claw our way back versus China.

So our guys were ready. There was no pressure- not after surviving China. The Gilas team believed that their defense would carry them through. And while we all knew that Jordan would keep an eye on Brownlee, guys like Newsome, Scottie Thompson, the GOAT Junemar Fajardo, and Angelo Kuoame all went to work.

CJ Perez and Kevin Alas came off the bench to provide that spark. Calvin Oftana, the default 3rd option on offense of the first five, delivered enough to keep defenders honest.

And when the buzzer finally sounded, we won. 70-60. This is almost unheard of, unthinkable, unfathomable in today's 3 point shot trigger-happy generation where scores are almost always up to 90 or 100.

70-60.

We've never had this kind of defensive, grit and grind game in recent memory for a Gilas team. It's always about the offense- Dribble Drive Offense, Tab Baldwin's motion Euro offense. The defense has never taken the spotlight.

Until Tim Cone came into the picture.

Accepting that okay, we are still tactically immature as Baldwin puts it when it comes to offense. That we have problems veering away from the American iso-heavy style.

So Cone put Asia on notice with this new Gilas defensive philosophy.

And now, until the next Asian Games, we can proudly say, that we are the Kings of the Asian Games.

The Blueprint

2023-08-01T03:14:00.006+08:00

Photo credit: ESPN.com

In 2008, Gilas Pilipinas was officially unveiled by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) led by some of the country's most optimistic and brilliant basketball minds. They recruited top college basketball stars led by Chris Tiu and JVee Casio, they sought out foreign-based prodigies like Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz, and offered a home for the then NBA-seeking 6"9 wunderkind Japeth Aguilar.

They also brought in Rajko Toroman, fresh from helping reshape the Iranian Men's Basketball Team into an Asian Basketball Powerhouse, to serve as the team's initial head coach. The team was backed by SBP and SMART Telecommunications, Inc., which meant that it did not have to reach out to the Philippine Basketball Association, its' teams, or the many "Godfathers" if you will, since they already have a big time player in the mix, one, Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan.

Initially, the team was making waves and winning games and tournaments. SMART Gilas 1 was formed in 2008 to compete in the bigger FIBA tournaments in 2012. There were names added here in there, including naturalized reinforcements such as CJ Giles, Marcus Douthit, and Andray Blatche. But soon, with some younger players opting out of the program to join the PBA in hopes for a bigger payday, Gilas 1 was left with no choice but to release its' players, and hope that their PBA ballclubs would release them at some point should the call of flag and country come by.

That last line, well, looking back, wasn't always the case now wasn't it?

Fast forward to 2023 and things are different.

The biggest thing with SMART Gilas 1 was, the players, most of whom were college stars, optimistic, young, bright, didn't have to worry right away of having to provide for their families. Tiu, the team's posterboy, certainly didn't have to worry about needing to earn more than hundred thousand paycheck at that time, compared to someone say, who probably came from the provinces and used basketball as a form of livelihood to provide for his parents, siblings, and then his own family. Right? It's just the truth to it and why most Filipino basketball players play professionally (or even in the bush leagues).

So after a year or two of service, injuries piling up, traveling to tournaments overseas... most of the young Gilas 1 prospects wanted out. Naturally. They wanted to earn more, get those Playoff and Championship bonuses, and enjoy the love and respect of adoring fans (who wouldn't want a chance to suit up for a team like Ginebra in the PBA?)

So back then, sign with Gilas, play for 2-3 years, and wait for the PBA offer.

The kids said that they would always suit up for Gilas when called upon. Sure. But what they didn't know back then, looking at it now, is that they gave up their rights to play for Gilas when they signed professional contracts with PBA teams. All of a sudden, they need to fall in line.

Oh, you want to play for Gilas? Nope. We have a championship season coming up.

Oh, you want to play for Gilas? You're coming off an injury in which we paid you in full and took care of you and your family, could you kindly you know, repay us with some loyalty?

As harsh as that last one sounded, it's simply how the real world works.

But now, in 2023, all of a sudden, our college stars don't need to go to the PBA right away. They actually have choices, if they're good enough, and aren't signed up by some 'Padrino" or management team early in their basketball lives.

They can now actually try for a contract to play in Korea, Japan, Taiwan/ Chinese Taipei, Thailand or even Malaysia. There are options for our top stars. Some are chasing NBA dreams, but there's no harm in playing somewhere in East Asia just the same.

The money, which has always been the biggest factor here, will still be bigger.

Just a week ago, there's this little used and known PBA player who signed a deal to play in Korea. So all of a sudden, all you need to do is put together a great mix tape, and have a great agent to put in the work!

And the kicker? They're all available to play for Gilas 2023 and beyond, because those leagues 1) allow them to and 2) most of those same leagues are in the off season during FIBA tournaments.

Oh, and they play shorter tournaments to as compared to the PBA's 3 conference, 9-10-month season.

So if we're going to be a bit mean to the PBA, which has generously shared its' resources over the last three years, the SBP could actually go back to their initial 2008 blueprint moving forward and let the PBA and its' hardcore fans be happy in their own little bubble, and form another SMART Gilas 1 team.

Recruit college stars, find overseas guys, add a naturalized big and... train them. If some would want to go to the PBA, let them, or if the PBA would want to share its' resources again, then so be it, but what you'll have is a core group of 12 kids, who will most likely get the attention of international scouts, have them play overseas and just recall them once a FIBA tournament hits.

Of course, that's the dream. Because PBA fans and the PBA would want its' stars to play for flag and country. And you don't really want your national team to be a bunch of unknown guys foreign to your local fanbase. But... you know, just a thought. Just saying, that the Gilas 1 blueprint, can actually work now more than before.

And by then, we'd have a fully functioning, fully cohesive group that wasn't put together in 20 days.

Just a thought.

PBA Governor's Cup Finals: TNT vs Ginebra

2023-04-08T02:39:00.003+08:00

Photo: GMA Network

It was just a matter of time.

With the mighty San Miguel Beermen going through a transition phase with a new head coach and ever-changing roster, Barangay Ginebra has slowly established itself as the San Miguel Corporation's top PBA team under the Tim Cone era. I can't remember the last time Ginebra did not win at least a championship (or made a deep playoff push) under Cone, and now, it truly looks like they have the right roster to cement a new Dynasty in the PBA.

On the other side of the fence, the MVP group's crown jewel has always been the TNT Tropang Giga. They've fallen off the grid for a while, looking for a new coach to succeed Chot Reyes (the dark Bong Ravena years), and it appears that they've found just the man in Jojo Lastimosa. Of course, at his disposal still lies Reyes and his son Josh, and probably the biggest asset of them all, Serbian tactician Lale Guronovic. Together, they have righted the TNT ship, and we have seen a more well-balanced roster that even uses traditional, heavy bigs (which has only sometimes been the case with Reyes' old TNT squads).

On Sunday, we will see if Ginebra's new Dynasty can keep the up-and-coming TNT at bay. For now, let's play around with the match-ups and see who has the advantage going into the Finals.

Paul Varilla/ Kib Montalbo/ Jayson Castro vs Scottie Thompson

This is going to be a tough match-up for TNT, as they'll need to always keep an eye out on Thompson who does a lot of damage by hustling for the basketball and grabbing offensive rebounds. Sure, Castro is still Castro, but he's no longer the Blur of old who can play 35-40 minutes a game at a high rate. It's up to Varilla and Montalbo to try and rough up Thompson a bit and prevent him from getting inside.

RR Pogoy vs Jeremiah Gray

Pogoy has been on a tear as of late, and while Gray has been quite impressive, I'm picking the University of Cebu alum to continue leading the charge for TNT. This is going to be a great test for Gray (and Malonzo) if they can limit Pogoy and survive his "Pinoy gulang" style of play. I expect Pogoy to be a little more physical in this series vs the Ginebra wings... oh, and if Gray doesn't really pan out... Ginebra can dust off Stanley Pringle and just have him iso.

Mikey Williams/ Calvin Oftana vs Jamie Malonzo / Nards Pinto

When motivated or engaged, Williams is on another level. He can shoot, he can get to the rim, he can do just about anything he wants on the floor. We'll see if Malonzo can be disciplined enough to not try to do too much when guarding Williams. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if Coach Tim calls on Nards Pinto, the rough Wynne Arboleda clone, to get under Mikey's skin a bit. Still, should be a fun match-up. Williams will definitely shoot, up to Malonzo to counterattack him as well.

Rondae Hollis Jefferson vs Justin Brownlee

They'll cancel each other out for sure. RHJ is good. Brownlee is all around. The biggest key here is, RHJ needs to do a lot of heavy lifting for TNT, while Brownlee can always just pull back whenever the locals are having a great game, and take over when needed.

Poy Erram v Christian Standhardinger

Sorry Poy, but you're coming off an injury. And you still look the same, muscle-wise. CSH has been cooking. So... BBQ chicken.

X Factor: Japeth Aguilar

There were talks of Aguilar making his return in the finals, and if he does, well, even if he's a bit out of rhythm or not in sync with the rest, that means he'll either play alongside CSH or sub for him. Which means, well, not a great sign for TNT. If Japeth plays as CSH's backup, he's matched up against the smaller/ slower Justin Chua and Dave Marcelo. If they keep Poy on him, he'll score over Poy. If they play together, then that means Brownlee can slide down to 3. Just a huge game changer if the 6"9 big man plays in this series for sure.

All things considered, I'm picking Ginebra. The Dynasty is on the rise, they have a nice young core to go with Standhardinger who is playing great basketball this conference. Honestly, would be surprised if CSH doesn't end up winning Best Player of the Conference AND Finals MVP.

Who's your pick to win the Governor's Cup title?

Ayo's Way

2023-03-22T02:16:00.001+08:00

Photo: Rappler.com

In only his first season as a PBA head coach, Converge FiberXers' Aldin Ayo has made it clear that it's his show by making an example of both his Commissioner's Cup and Governor's Cup imports-- tournament standings/ seedings be damned.

If memory serves us right, the 6"10 Quincy Miller who was averaging nearly 31 points a game while leading the team to an 8-2 start was benched in a match against NorthPort due to disciplinary measures. This led to the team bowing out of the conference, as they couldn't recover or regroup from that loss.

Recently, in the ongoing season-ending Governor's Cup, it's the high-scoring Jamaal Franklin's turn to be sent home. This, following a series of 30-40+ point games which really brought more fans to the games. After a 50+ point output, it was said that Ayo told his import to share the basketball some more. Which, well, the import followed to the letter in a crucial match against Barangay Ginebra. Things got so bad, that Franklin simply refused to shoot and just kept passing the ball even when he was wide open for easy bunnies.

You could make an argument against Franklin, and how immature/ unprofessional he carried himself in that match. Then again, things could have been handled by both parties differently. After all, Converge continues to be on the rise as one of the league's newest darkhorse (overtaking the rebuilding Rain or Shine and the somewhat 'lost' Phoenix group). For a while there, as a PBA hoops fan, Converge was starting to put up a fight much like the old Alaska Aces franchise, which they inherited.

They brought in a replacement to start the semifinals, and while Tom Vordanovich finished with 39 points and displayed great team basketball, it wasn't enough to salvage a win and extend Converge's campaign.

Still, Ayo, to his credit, has proven that his style of coaching (at least on the Xs and Os front) works on the PBA level. Converge has enjoyed respectable outings, and there appears to be great player development with budding young stars: Maverick Ahanmisi, Alec Stockton, Justin Arana, Barkley Ebona and Jeron Teng. A few more pieces could definitely help improve Converge and solidify their claim as the PBA's 7th elite team (since slots 1-6 are already held by the SMC-MVP umbrellas).

One thing's for sure though, as long as Ayo's in command, it's definitely his way or the high way when it comes to his players.

The Maverick

2023-03-06T14:12:00.001+08:00

Photo: Manila Bulletin

This writer has to be honest with you, as a former Rain or Shine Elastopainters fan during head coach Yeng Guiao's initial run, I was not too thrilled when the team opted to draft one Maverick Ahanmisi over the NCAA triple-double machine Scottie Thompson in the 2015-2016 PBA Draft.

Sure, he was a legitimate US NCAA Division 1 talent for the University of Minnesota, but he averaged a little under 3 points and 1 rebound a game for his entire career. Though we were already in the age of social media, there was simply little to no talk of his game-- which was telling at the time, considering every Fil-foreigner looking for a PBA run had a (self-made) video montage on YouTube already (re: Julius Pasculado.

Additionally, this was during RoS' Paul Lee's final year with the team. So there was pressure from fans and management to find someone suitable to carry the team post-Lee. That being said, Lee left (after winning a title mid-season), Guiao left, and Ahanmisi averaged a little under 10 points and 3 assists in 25-26 minutes of play.

Not really Lee-worthy.

In 2019, Ahanmisi was traded to the former Alaska Aces, now Converge FiberXers. His numbers still looked eerily similar, and I thought Ahanmisi was more serviceable as a role player than a PBA superstar. Nothing wrong with it, but a bit underwhelming, considering his pedigree.

Fast forward to March 2023, and Ahanmisi has become one of the most feared PBA point guards today. Under head coach Aldin Ayo, Ahanmisi has been on a tear as of late, scoring anywhere from the 25 to 30s mark on an offense built on driving hard to the rim and knocking down treys.

He's going on a tear while coming off the bench for an offense that revolves mainly around the import Jamal Franklin (a high-scoring perimeter monster) and Alaska/Converge favorite Jeron Teng (still). He's become so impressive that, there has been a lot of chatter on social media why he was not included in the upcoming PBA All Star Weekend festivities-- not even as a reserve.

Still, there's a lot of excitement for Maverick and his fans. It appears that he has finally found a true home in the PBA, under coach Ayo. And, should fate ever deem it to be, he might also get a look from foreign leagues who are now, more than ever, been actively looking at Filipino basketball talent to shore up their teams.

Now, if only Maverick can convince his import to not take only 5 shots in a crucial Playoff positioning game.

[FIBA] Gilas loses to Jordan, Wins over Filipino fans

2023-03-03T10:25:00.003+08:00

Photo: GMA News Online

What a second game for the revamped Gilas.

Gilas started off against the visiting Jordanian national team on the wrong foot, missing shots and defensive assignments-- a stark contrast to their impressive debut over a depleted Lebanon side. The visitors kept beating our guards to the rim, leaving 6x PBA MVP Junemar Fajardo all by his lonesome on the receiving end of foul calls.

Things were getting so out of hand, that the home team found itself down by as much as 25 points, Fajardo in foul trouble, and none of our guards able to keep in step with Jordanian stars import Dar Tucker and point guard Freddy Ibrahim. But just when all seemed lost, the rest of the Filipino basketball community that are (surprisingly) not Ginebra fans, all got the 'Justin Brownlee experience' also comically known as 'Asa Kay Brownlee" on social media circles.

It's not that Brownlee selfishly took matters to his own hands, but that the team quickly recognized that the Jordanians were a bit faster and stronger on the court. They also ran a lot of ball screens, which made it very difficult for our locals to keep in step, play defense AND score the basketball. And so, some concessions were made. Brownlee focused on offense while Scottie Thompson et. al. buckled down on defense.

With Brownlee taking care of the offense and Gilas locking up on the defensive side, we were able to erase the 25 point deficit by the 4th quarter.

We had three-four opportunities to seize the lead, stuck at 91-90 with 51 seconds to go. Thompson got us an extra possession with an impressive rebound over the Jordanian wall following back-to-back bricks by Dwight Ramos and Brownlee. Unfortunately, he missed both free throws which could have been due to both physical and mental fatigue. There was a last-ditch, beautiful, spin jump shot by the usually reliable Ray Ray Parks, Jr., but even that just would not sink in our favor.

So, what does this entail for Gilas?

For one, we have a team that is young, ultra athletic, and can actually play defense. Not that the previous teams couldn't, but it really did feel that we were missing a few pieces here and there to use when forced to switch, which is a necessity in the pick-and-whatever evolving global game.

We played small ball, moreso because Fajardo was forced into foul trouble early. There were still some issues regarding our perimeter defense, but everything appeared to be addressed in the 2nd half of this game where guys were really switching and trapping. Honestly, the defensive effort in the 2nd half of the Jordan game was probably the best defense we've seen from this team since Ginebra coach Tim Cone was added into the bench mob.

Guys like Thompson and Jamie Malonzo have probably punched in their tickets to the World Cup. Pretty sure CJ Perez would be added in considering how he could get into the lane at will (finishing is another story). The B-leaguers; Ramos, Parks, Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena, are most likely shoo-ins given their overall experience and chemistry together. They have all added into their games, and look to be more comfortable as plug-and-play utility pieces. Whatever Coach Chot Reyes needs, the four are able to be called upon given how long they've been playing for Gilas, and together.

Now the question here is, do we continue with Brownlee, or look to add Jordan Clarkson?

Honestly, Gilas looked more comfortable with Brownlee in both games. But that's more likely to the familiarity with everyone around him. It also helps that the point guard- Thompson, knows his tendencies, when and where to find him.

Clarkson, he's an asset. He's a legitimate NBA player who can explode for 30 points vs elite defenders on any given night (as he has been doing this season with the Utah Jazz). The question here is, can he be relied on to 1 play all out and 2 is he fully invested with Gilas?

Another unpopular take here is, do we really go for Brownlee or Clarkson? Or can we still add, say, a 6"11 reinforcement by way of a modern day Andre Blatche? Specially now that we are starting to get feelers from Kai Sotto's new management that, maybe, they'd like to focus on the NOW and really get into the NBA.

Nothing wrong with that, but nothing wrong with Chot Reyes and the SBP doing their homework and looking for options.

It's a great time to be a Gilas fan yet again! Let's enjoy the ride!

Laban Pilipinas!

[FIBA] Win For All; Gilas 2023 triumphs over Lebanon

2023-02-27T13:59:00.003+08:00

Photo: philstar.com

"Win For All."

The new FIBA World Cup tagline couldn't be any more fitting to our very own Gilas men's national basketball team, from having to go through so much off-court drama and uncertainties the last few years to finally appear to have a united front thanks to the 100% buy-in of the San Miguel group.

Because let us all be honest here, there are two basketball powerhouses in the country, be it on the professional or collegiate levels: the mighty San Miguel (SMC) and the MVP squad, which has been funding Gilas for the last decade or so. And though they may not openly say it, they are indeed the fiercest of rivals, so much so that making in-house talent (players and coaches) available wasn't always the easiest of tasks to accomplish.

That is until something magical happened last year. First, more San Miguel contracted players were made available to Gilas. Next, the group's crown jewel of a tactician, Barangay Ginebra's Tim Cone, was allowed to serve as consultant/ strategist for Gilas coach Chot Reyes. This, after the unceremonious exit of Tab Baldwin a few months prior, was nothing short of disastrous in terms of all things Gilas.

And then, finally, we saw San Miguel's basketball operations head Alfrancis Chua meeting with Chot Reyes, presumably his counterpart, over at the MVP fence. They even sat down with the big bosses, Ramon Ang and Manny V. Pangilinan-- so as basketball fans, we couldn't help but be grade school giddy with all the developments happening so fast.

So here comes the full support of the SMC group. The availability of our young B-League exports: Kiefer Ravena, Thirdy Ravena, Ray Parks Jr., and Dwight Ramos, to name a few. Suddenly, the dream of having the most potent and best possible Gilas team was no longer just a dream.

Fast forward to February 24, Friday, at the Philippine Arena.

We saw a more cohesive Gilas, that already had a sense of familiarity based on their last two games (Lebanon and Saudi). We had guys who could run up and down the gym, flying, rebounding, cutting, slashing, and best of all-- shooting threes which wasn't always the case with the previous Gilas ensembles. Before, we'd have one or two slashers, a token shooter, and a bunch of guys who we hope could bring in whatever.

Photo: Spin.ph

There was also the presence of one Justin Brownlee, the Ginebra reinforcement who was recently naturalized to replace Utah Jazz star Jordan Clarkson. Questions about chemistry and familiarity was thrown out the window because we had a solid mix of Ginebra stars, B League/ Tab Gilas vets, and PBA guys. All of them knew the assignment, and it was clear from the get-go that we will be running the floor and spacing it out on offense, while clogging the paint on defense.

Our team featured 6x PBA MVP Junemar Fajardo, and though he was not as effective, because he simply chose to buy in to the Gilas gameplan, guys all seemed to follow his lead. There were no egos, just guys playing and moving forward. If there was an error (and there were quite a few), the team would try to make up for it with a defensive stop. We had 31 assists, 17 3s, and that only showed how potent this version of Gilas was on the open court. Sure, Lebanon did not have their resident stars, but that's their problem now isn't it?

There were still some areas where we can definitely work on, such as taking better care of the basketball and maybe improving our interior defense, but all in all it was a great win for Philippine basketball moving onto the FIBA World Cup tournament.

Now, questions of Brownlee over Clarkson, Kai or no Kai, Tamayo and Quiambao or none, Ravena brothers or none, are making headlines. We love it. Because just a few years back, we didn't even have this kind of problem. The problem was where we can get talent and if they'd be allowed to play. Now, it's more of, we have too much talent, and picking out who fits the team's needs and chemistry.

One thing's for sure though, it's a great time to be a Pinoy basketball fan indeed.

Laban Pilipinas, Puso!

The Gold Standard

2023-02-20T16:32:00.002+08:00

Photo: Wikipedia.com

Bobby Parks, Norman Black, and Sean Chambers-- just a few of the PBA's more storied American basketball reinforcements who have led their respective teams to multiple championships and glory. They would take over games while earning the oohs and aahs of the PBA faithful. Players that you love to hate, but would also leave you in awe of just how effortless they make the game look be it on television or live in person.

They ruled the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Other names have come and gone, leaving impressionable marks in the league, such as Lamont Strothers, John Best, and Denzel Bowles, and for a time, we would almost always see teams trying to get imports of a certain mold to match whoever was dominating the league the reinforced conference/ season before.

This era, we have Barangay Ginebra San Miguel's Justin Brownlee.

Some call him 'Magic,' some more creative minds have even started to call him 'Thanos' or 'Six rings.' I remember The Shot that he hit amid cellphone flashes to win the title. I remember him replacing another import mid-conference. If I'm not mistaken, he started his PBA career with Ginebra in 2016.

The year is 2023, and to this day, he appears to be the Gold Standard among all imports. So much so, that Ginebra would opt to have him in the Commissioner's Cup, a conference reserved for imports 6"7 and up as opposed to his customary Governor's Cup, which fields a more familiar 6"6 and below ruling.

He has led a team that, prior to his entry (and that of head coach Tim Cone), has been constantly looking for an identity. Sure, there's the old "Never Say Die," but before Cone and Brownlee, they were doing more 'dying' than actual NSD-ing.

Having Coach Tim Cone, the GOAT among PBA coaches, drawing plays for him is big. And as the team continues to stockpile on elite talent, we've seen Brownlee take on a less aggressive approach scoring-wise while showcasing his passing and defensive skills.

But just when we all thought that maybe, Brownlee's best years were already done, he proves all of the doubters wrong with the 2021 Governor's Cup romp. He then outdoes himself when the visiting Bay Area Dragons came to shore just this 2022-2023, and led his team, be it in points, rebounds, assists-- whatever they needed, whatever the defense gave him, he was sure to deliver.

Brownlee's continued excellence, complemented by his down-to-earth demeanor, has even won the hearts of casual basketball fans. When it was announced that he was being considered as the next naturalized candidate to reinforce Gilas Pilipinas, even at the ripe old age of 34, there were no questions or doubts raised. Only, "it's about damn time."

In the current 2022-2023 Governor's Cup, it appears that Brownlee's being put to the test yet again. This time with a slew of high-scoring wings, some with legitimate NBA pedigree at that. But make no mistake, teams opted for wings instead of traditional bigs because the standard has been set, and he's looking for more gold.

Remember the Milkmen

2023-02-14T10:21:00.002+08:00

On March 22, 2022, the storied Alaska Aces/ Milkmen franchise officially disbanded after joining the league in 1986 en route to 14 championships highlighted by the 1996 grand slam.

Photo: abs-cbn.com

As Filipino basketball fans, we were spoiled by the level of excellence, class, and integrity that the Aces franchise displayed at all times under the watch of owner Wilfred Uytengsu. The first chapter featured the uphill climb into greatness headed by Coach Tim Cone, with stars like Jojo Lastimosa, Johnny Abarrientos, Bong Hawkins, and Jeffrey Cariaso, to name a few. When the Grand Slam was achieved, they quickly retooled to further improve their ranks with the addition of Kenneth Duremdes and Rodney Santos. At the turn of the century, they featured names such as Don Allado, Ali Peek, Mike Cortez, and John Arigo.

More than winning, the Aces carried themselves on a very business-like level. The coaching staff wore long sleeves, neckties and dress shoes-- far from the competition's casual wear. They followed the rules, worked within the system, and were hardly involved in any shady transactions. The only issues that we can recall were the trades that sent Abarrientos and Duremdes elsewhere.

Alas, around (or even before) 2010, rumors of the Aces having financial concerns became rampant. There were reports that the head company has decided to cut ties with the basketball club and that the team was now solely financed by Uytengsu himself. This was followed by Coach Tim Cone's 2011 exit (and entry into the San Miguel fold), which led to subpar campaigns.

But just when everyone thought that the Aces were headed to farm team purgatory, they opted for the younger Luigi Trillo and a fresh assortment of players led by Calvin Abueva and Gabby Espinas. With Trillo came what we would like to call the 'Attitude Era' of the Aces, as they played a more up and down, run and gun, physical style that was less 'Alaska' and more 'Pinoy.'

They won a title, but the Trillo partnership soon faded out. They had a few more successful playoff runs with new head coach Alex Compton, but that appeared to be as far as the team could go. Holdovers like JVee Casio, also soon became trade assets.

When the team finally folded in 2022, they were coached by Jeffrey Cariaso. They failed to make the playoffs, but that is not how we would like to remember the great franchise by.

They were right up there, engaged in heavy warfare with league powerhouses- San Miguel Beer, Purefoods and Talk n Text.

They featured great imports such as Sean Chambers, Devin Davis, Rosell Ellis, and Romeo Travis.

They almost repeated the Grandslam in 1998, after 1996, but opted to send their superstars to represent the Philippines in international play.

They had MVPs in Abarrientos, Duremdes, and Willie Miller.

And most of all, they played the game the right way. With integrity, class, and respect. Games were hard-fought and competitive, 'bad' officiating was not made an excuse (during the Cone years), and new stars were developed and discovered.

Thank you, Alaska Milkmen/ Aces.

The Dragons and the PBA

2023-02-12T13:55:00.007+08:00

Author's note: Thank you for the continued support and exchanges on social media; while this blog has been inactive for some time, a lot of our friends here continue to show love and support. This blog has been an outlet of sorts, as we all need hobbies that pique our interest and passions. Unfortunately, with age (and a very relaxed/ poor diet), this writer can no longer play basketball at a very competitive rate, so here we are, typing away on a keyboard while showing love to those who play the game the right way.

Coach Brian Goorjian

and the Bay Area Dragons

(Photo: Philstar.com)

The recently concluded 2022 PBA Commissioner's Cup offered quite a bold and innovative feature, this time presenting local fans with a guest team: the Bay Area Dragons. Formed in 2021 to represent 'Greater China,' the team was coached by American/ Australian tactician Brian Goorjian who is known for leading the Australian national team to a bronze medal finish in the 2020 Olympics. It featured a bevy of up-and-coming stars from East Asian countries complemented by American reinforcements, NBAers Myles Powell and Andrew Nicholson.

Fans were quickly treated to a new style of basketball: less one on one and more of the quick outlet and reversal passes, ball screens, and motion offense. The game was played on a faster pace, the scores were ramped up, and PBA teams that were ill-equipped or ill-prepared would be on the receiving end of a 20-point spanking, at the very least.

True to form, backed with Goorjian's high octane offense and formidable NBA talent in Powell and Nicholson (which alternated for each other during the conference), the Dragons would make quick work of the opposition and set up a 'dream match' opposite crowd favorites Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in a seven-game championship series.

Unfortunately, the Dragons failed to win it all as Ginebra would prove to be just as capable to match their stellar, world-class play. Opposite Goorjian is Tim Cone, arguably the Philippines' best head coach (we just added in 'arguably' out of respect for the rest, but Cone's 25 championship rings would probably dismiss any or all counter arguments to that claim). Ginebra played a physical, mid-range to the low-post game, which the Dragons couldn't match as though they were the taller, longer, team, their guys weren't used to mixing it up in the paint and all the semantic skirmishes expected of the Filipino brand of play.

So where do we go from here?

Well, hopefully, the PBA's level of play will only continue to rise to that of the Dragons' and even Ginebra's. We are seeing it in the current Governor's Cup, where ball movement and a quicker pace is starting to be favored by most teams. It's always fun to watch one-on-one superstars doing their thing on the hardcourt, but the game is just more fluid and captivating to watch when everyone is a threat on the floor-- something that most Filipino basketball fans are rather unfamiliar with still.

Maybe next time, teams would be allowed to field in 2 imports, a big one and a small one, to match guest teams like the Dragons. If the Dragons are free, and given that the Philippines is starting to open up to East Asia, then there's no reason not to have them back. As long as the games are competitive. There's simply no point in having guest teams over that are not a threat to our local powerhouse teams.

This also shows the non-believers of the PBA, that homegrown Filipino talent, the PBA teams, can play up to par-- that we have the tools, and that it's just a matter of consciously playing at a higher level.

The Future

2021-06-24T21:31:00.003+08:00

The kids are all right (photo: Spin.ph)

Just earlier this evening, the Ateneo-led, all-amateur Gilas Pilipinas Men's Basketball Team is flying out to Belgrade, Serbia to compete in the FIBA Olympic Qualifiers. The team will be facing off against the hometown heroes and later on against the Domincan Republic. To say that this will be a tall order, would probably fit the bill both figuratively and literally.

So what are the expectations so far?

Well, it would be nice if our boys could salvage a win, or at the very least, keep in step with these teams that are bringing in legitimate NBA players (Serbia has three to four if I remember correctly, including the titan-sized Boban Marjanovic).

Honestly, I wasn't expecting much from this team in the recent Clark Bubble. Sure, Tab Baldwin's back as the full time head coach, but they were missing some U.P. firepower by the names of Kobe Paras and Juan Gomez De Liano. To make up for this, they brought in more guys from Ateneo, while adding in representatives from DLSU and FEU. You'll have to forgive us for not being all too familiar with these kids outside of those who've already played a year in college.

'Casual' is what the so called 'all-knowing experts' would call us.

I'm not going to go through the roster, just the names that really impressed me in Gilas' 3-0 stint.

Kai Sotto, now at a wiry 7"3, really impressed with his high basketball IQ, aggressive approach and dexterity around the rim. Sure, he still looks a bit weak versus his counterparts (mostly stronger, beefier naturalized centers), but whatever he gives up in strength he makes up for on offense by simply shooting over the smaller competition.

Dwight Ramos is the current darling of the crowd, with his K-Pop boyband good looks to go with a well-rounded skillset that makes him look like a grown ass man playing against boys. This guy's a cool customer on the floor, makes correct plays, can knock down shots, and hardly does anything outside of his comfort zone. I tweeted that Ramos' approach and aura on the court reminds me of DLSU legend Mike 'Cool Cat' Cortez, hopefully, the experts agrees on that hot take.

Then there's the naturalized center Angeloa Kouame. He's big, strong, and knows Baldwin's offensive and defensive schemes. He hardly plays in the paint, usually setting screens or trying to pull his defender outside so his 'little brothers' can attack the paint a bit more. While more established reinforcements would probably do us better in the long run, Kouame is the guy we have right now and I have no complaints in terms of his performance and effort on the floor. He's basically a younger, less skilled version of Marcus Douthit's last run with the old Gilas team.

Honestly, I wouldn't mind seeing this team together for more games. Even post-OQT, I hope that the SBP is able to build this version into the original SMART Gilas I program; they have the size for it, and should Kai continue to add more to his game, he'll most likely be better than Japeth Aguilar (and maybe, daresay, 5x PBA MVP Junemar Fajardo!) in the next 2-3 years!

Well, one could only dream, right? What are your thoughts on this young Gilas squad?

Hit me up on Twitter @kilikilishot

2021 PBA Mock Draft V 1.0

2021-01-21T15:17:00.004+08:00

Photo: Tiebreakertimes.ph

We are admittedly a little late to the PBA Mock Draft Party, but it's mostly because the PBA has been taking its time when it comes to the Draft applicants specifically the Fil-Foreigners who may or may not have issues with some of their paperwork.

Though I understand the need for all the red tape, since no one wants to see another Fil-Sham-gate; how hard is it for legitimate Filipinos to produce paperwork? I mean, surely, everyone carries a passport, birth certificate and all right?

Wag na natin kasi ipilit ung lolo/lola to the 5th degree. Pasensyahan na lang.

For now, we will operate through this Mock Draft under the pretense that ALL reported applicants are ineligible. This means, you will definitely see a lot of Fil-Foreigners in the mix in the First Round.

Let's get started:

1. Terra Firma- Joshua Munzon, SG

Currently, the clear-cut top pick in most mock drafts owing to his versatility on the floor, athleticism and no-nonsense style of play. He's the ideal fit to form a deadly run and gun triumvirate with fellow former top picks CJ Perez and Roosevelt Adams; which should prove to be very fun to watch (should they be allowed to play all together and you know, no one gets shipped out in 2021).

2. NorthPort - Jason Brickman, PG

This guy needs to be in the PBA. He's an NCAA Division 1 assists leader OF ALL TIME for crying out loud. Speed, size, high IQ-- he still needs to work on his range, the only thing missing from him basically being a Jimmy Alapag clone. Also, just the kind of point guard that NorthPort needs to get the ball to Christian Standhandinger down low and take the pressure off Robert Bolick who is a natural 2 guard.

3. NLEX - Troy Rike, PF/C

I'm just putting this guy here because he appears to be the kind of player any team under the MVP payroll almost always gets. The Wake Forest pedigree has boosted his stock for sure, maybe working under fiery coach Yeng Guiao and playing with veterans Asi Taulava and JR Quinahan will help speed up his development.

4. NLEX - Taylor Statham, SG

The kind of shooter that Coach Yeng needs to help him recreate the same success he had at Rain or Shine. He already has the Paul Lee clone in Kiefer Ravena, also a slasher in Kevin Alas, and sturdy wings like Jericho Cruz and Semerad Twin # 1. What he's missing is a knockdown shooter in the mold of a Jeffrei Chan to help space the floor. What's nice is, this guy is a solid 6"6 guard with handles so just picture a fastbreak of Ravena-Cruz-Statham-Semerad with Quinahan making the outlet pass.

5. Rain or Shine - Jamie Malonzo, SF

Raw but athletic. Dunks everywhere. Range is shaky. But fearless. I wanted to put Muyang in here, since he's basically Belga 2.0, but given captain Gabe Norwood's mileage and what the team currently lacks, I think Malonzo might be a good fit to play behind Javee Mocon.

6. Magnolia - Larry Muyang, C

Magnolia needs a big man. They've needed one since, well, forever. There are rumors that they might just land the exiled Greg Slaughter from Ginebra somehow, but until that day comes, and even if I'm one of Jackson Corpuz' biggest Internet fans, they need more muscle down low to help their best inside player- Ian Sangalang, operate better.

7. Alaska - James Laput, C

Maybe Johnson, Statham or even Williams would've been a better fit considering how Mav Ahanmisi has yet to deliver the goods since the Aces acquired him. But, the first order of business for the Aces should be getting a legitimate center down low while they have a guy named Danny Ildefonso practically making competent stars out of all the young bigs they have on the roster. Laput stands 6"9, has a nice touch and can drop a nice lefty kisser off the glass. Sure, he might end up going higher (to Magnolia even), but the Aces are best equipped to develop Laput into a legitimate threat around the rim.

8. San Miguel - Franky Johnson, SG

Let's face it. Alex Cabagnot is old. Chris Ross is getting up there in mileage as well. Marcio Lassiter, another ball handler, showed that he's no longer the same GiLassiter who can play point-forward full-time. Franky Johnson, the former 3x3 MVP, can score, dribble and should be a nice underling for his veteran teammates. Also, would pay good money to see him and Terrence Romeo duke it out in practice.

9. Meralco - Jeremiah Gray, SG

6"4/ 6"5 shooter who can help space the floor for resident Meralco star Chris Newsome and Bubble Best Rookie Aaron Black. What I like about Gray is that he is quite efficient on the floor and doesn't really force the action-- something that falls right into head coach Norman Black's more "collegiate" schemes.

10. Phoenix - Mikey Williams, PG

At 29, Williams would be a nice addition to the rolling Phoenix offense. In the bubble, the team often relied on stars Matthew Wright and Calvin Abueva to make plays as RJ Jazul (trigger happy) and RR Garcia (working his way back to elite form) would often look lost. Not saying that Williams is a better player than the two or should start right away, but given the names left on the board, he should be a solid contributor and address one of the team's off-season needs.

11. NorthPort - Tyrus Hill, PF

6"5, can run, jump and dunk. Didn't really see much of him in the UAAP, but from what I've gathered and looking at the NP roster, he should be able to contribute behind Kevin Ferrer and Sean Anthony at the 3/4 spots. Hopefully the offseason has helped him work on other facets of his game. I'm also putting him here instead of the next guy because, well NorthPort, Lozol, San Miguel. You know.

12. Ginebra - Alvin Pasaol, PF

Calling it now. Pasaol to Ginebra. The Fil-foreigners will most likely go higher given their collective pedigree, which shouldn't be a problem at all for the champs. With Pasaol, the Gins will get a burly SF-PF who can create his own shot (a constant problem for the Gins when Stanley Pringle isn't clicking) while being a throwback, old school type of player that the Ginebra nation would probably love right away. Low risk, high reward, IMHO should he fall to the Gins.

PBA Bubble Season Awards Reaction

2021-01-18T11:11:00.005+08:00

Once again, hats off to the PBA and everyone who was involved in bringing back the league during the pandemic to help inspire and really give fans a sense of normalcy and outlet. They are all MVPs in our hearts.

That being said, here's our take on the Special Awardees who were recognized by the league in yesterday's online awarding:

Outstanding Rookie - Aaron Black (Meralco)

The 2nd generation PBA star performed quite well under the tutelage of his father, Meralco head coach Norman Black. While his numbers do not really stand out, he was pretty solid as a small forward/ shooting guard running mate to Meralco's resident go-to-guy Chris Newsome.

Honestly, felt that Roosevelt Adams, though a bit underwhelming, made a good case for himself this season while playing for TerraFirma (lost in the mix after being forced to play center on numerous occasions). Ginebra's Arvin Tolentino was also pretty solid and IMHO if you're a rookie, and you can somehow crack Coach Tim Cone's starting five for whatever reason and not look like a tool, you should instantly be recognized for it.

Sportsmanship Award - Scottie Thompson (Ginebra)

I love the way Thompson plays basketball. He's a Calvin Abueva clone, minus the theatrics and scoring punch. Plus, it's quite difficult to keep your composure when you're the smallest rebounder on the court, getting hit and pushed by bigger guys-- and also, not showing off or flashing a grin. Thompson plays the game the right way, with lots of effort and hustle, and hopefully, enough to become Ginebra's lead guard once veteran L.A. Tenorio hangs it up.

Most Improved Player - Prince Caperal (Ginebra)

I'll be honest here- my vote goes to Justin Chua of Phoenix and his near double-double stat line and also improved shot-blocking skills. But Caperal did things that people thought he couldn't do-- which was to fill Greg Slaughter's giant-sized shoes. He also helped space out Ginebra's offense enough for Stanley Pringle to have more operating room to drive into the lane.

Caperal's showing in the Playoffs probably helped boost his stock over Chua as well, as Chua struggled vs TNT's athletic bigs while Caperal literally threw his elbows around like a G. Still, kudos to both players and to Caperal who, hopefully, continues to flourish as Ginebra's starting big man.

Elite 5 - Stanley Pringle (Ginebra), Japeth Aguilar (Ginebra), Calvin Abueva (Phoenix), Matthew Wright (Phoenix), Poy Erram (TNT)

Okay. Four of the five guys on this list are well-deserved. I can't argue against Erram, who helped stabilize TNT's interior defense in the Bubble. BUT, if we're talking between Erram and a guy like Jason Perkins or Justin Chua... well... I'm still not entirely sold.

BUT, credit where it's due, as mentioned Erram is TNT's anchor on defense and he delivered for the most part. Pringle and Aguilar were simply unstoppable as Ginebra's new 1-2 option. Wright carried Phoenix in the Bubble before Abueva returned and did his thing like he always does. Credit to Wright for putting up a great Bubble performance-- previously he would play great for 2-3 games, only to falter the next 2-3 games. This time, he really delivered and carried the team together with Perkins and Chua.

Hi Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. Can someone tell me what his official position is again-- guard or small forward? Thought he was a Small Forward. Was listed in the Guard list with RR Pogoy. Ruined their chances IMHO.

Best Player of the Conference - Stanley Pringle (Ginebra)

I see no lies here. This is the Bubble version of the annual Most Valuable Player award. And while Parks, Jr. stuffed the stat sheet-- there are other intangibles in selecting the MVP in every league. It's not like Parks, Jr. was putting up astronomical numbers that Pringle couldn't do. So in that case, they're really tied.

The difference, IMHO, is the intangibles. How you represent your team, the league, how you carry yourself. How you carry your team in games-- those are things that have helped other players win MVPs not just in the PBA but also in the NBA. LeBron James had better numbers in Miami the year Derrick Rose won, but intangibles came into play- media relations, votes, owners, boards, investors, etc.

Pringle, all throughout the Bubble, played (and was featured on the offense) much like a super import does. Delivered when it mattered. And well, when was the last time you saw anyone in the PBA stop Pringle after his drive hop-step move to the basket?

Matik and one.

Share your thoughts on @kilikilishot Twitter!

Post-PBA Bubble Thoughts

2021-01-14T16:43:00.002+08:00

The Return of the Comeback in 2021

Happy New Year!

Here's a virtual hug and fist bump to all of our friends who continue to push through and soldier on in spite of the pandemic and this prolonged quarantine. This is probably for the best, although from where we're seated we could only hope and wish that our government continues to improve and learn where it can to be of better assistance to our countrymen.

Okay, so we kind of blew it with the PBA Bubble Finals prediction. Though I did say that my gut feel was for Ginebra. I simply went with the more logical choice which was TNT who was rolling at the time and Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. who was looking every bit like the PBA superstar we all thought he'd become-- as early as what, four, five years ago?

Unfortunately, Parks, Jr. went down with an injury. The veteran anchor Jayson Castro followed suit and though RR Pogoy put up a valiant effort he was also hit by the injury bug. Ginebra? They stayed the course. Coach Tim Cone went to his trusted leader, L.A. Tenorio, to break down the TNT defense by outclassing his defenders.

Sure, Stanley Pringle and Japeth Aguilar deserve mad props for taking care of business and doing the heavy lifting, but it was clear that whenever TNT wanted to make a run or started taking control of the game or tempo-- Tenorio was there to pull in the reins and lead Ginebra right down the straight and narrow path to the title.

Personally, I also loved the way Phoenix kind of became the new Rain or Shine/ Alaska. They're the new 'dark horses' with that young, fighting core led by Matthew Wright, Jason Perkins, Justin Chua and the reformed Calvin Abueva. I enjoyed watching Abueva playing just for the sake of winning and nothing else. Not pandering to fans, not trying to imitate or instigate. He just played basketball-- get the rebound, score, defense, no drama.

And you know what? The Beast looked every inch like a legitimate threat basketball-wise.

Pwede naman pala e.

Although, I'd be lying if I said that there were instances where I wish he would've started something. You know. Anything. He almost did. Guys were going after him in the Playoffs, but kudos to Abueva and the Phoenix team for keeping him focused.

There were some disappointing runs, most noticeably of the defending champions San Miguel Beermen. They lost the MVP Junemar Fajardo to an injury in the offseason, followed by Terrence Romeo during the early stages of the Bubble. Then Marcio Lassiter had his share of injury concerns, Arwind Santos played like his age, Chris Ross seemed heavier and that was that. The silver lining of course is Moala Tautuaa and how he looks more comfortable now in the box.

Elsewhere, there's the young Alaska Aces frontline. I enjoyed watching them ball out under Coach Jeff Cariaso-- Barkley Ebona, Abu Tratter, Rodney Brondial all moved like true Danny Ildefonso disciples in the paint. Jeron Teng also looked very comfortable playing a point-forward type. Hoping and praying for good things for teams like Alaska, Phoenix, and Rain or Shine, honestly.

The Farm Teams?

TerraFirma has done a great job allowing their young core to just showcase their talents. CJ Perez and rookie Roosevelt Adams are always going to deliver, but we did see a great run by point guard Juami Tiongson. Blackwater? Well, they have the young stars to compete. They were even supposed to be relevant with a 6"9 giant "rookie" who, unfortunately, didn't deliver.

Honestly, we'll give most of the guys a pass because of the pandemic and the situation that everyone was in. We can't really blame these guys for not staying in game shape during the break bawal maglaro e. The priority of course for everyone is and should be family.

From this writer, I wish you all good health this 2021. Usually, I'd always throw in a "good fortune" but right now, health is wealth. Money, job, those things, you can always recover from it if you put in the work and hustle. But health? Family? Take care of yourselves first, so you can take care of others.

God speed and looking forward to the next PBA season!

PBA Philippine Cup Finals: Ginebra (1) vs TNT (3)

2020-11-28T23:16:00.004+08:00

Author's note: Before we proceed, we would like to once again take this time to thank everyone who made the PBA Philippine Cup bubble. Sure, we made fun of certain teams and players on social media-- but that doesn't take away from how thankful we all are for being able to have something 'normal,' and how it took our minds away from this pandemic (if only for 3-5 hours a day).

So here we finally are. The PBA Philippine Cup (Bubble Season) Finals match-up pitting the Barangay Ginebra versus TNT Giga. The clear-cut favorites, going into the season following the injury to San Miguel Beer's living legend Junemar Fajardo which put a halt to their mighty romp.

On one side, you have last season's PBA Governor's Cup champions Ginebra which lost 7"0 slotman Greg Slaughter but ultimately gained another conference's worth of chemistry with ace guard Stanley Pringle. Where super scoring import Justin Brownlee left off, Pringle pretty much picked up together with new recruits veteran lefties Jared Dilligner and Jeffrei Chan.

In the off-season they added promising rookie Arvin Tolentino and during the bubble Coach Tim Cone made full use of his roster by giving extended minutes to his younger players which allowed back-up center Prince Caperal to showcase his wares.

Then there's the TNT Giga.

They added the man we dub as 'The Natural' in Ray Ray Parks, Jr. And followed it up by adding much-improved defensive big Poy Erram while giving away next to nothing.

That's it. End of conversation.Let's talk match-ups then, shall we?

We've seen a few pieces here and there, few predictions by other (some professional) writers and while we agree with some, we feel that when it comes down to crunch time and must-win games, the below-mentioned will be the deciding match-ups.

PG: L.A. Tenorio v Simon Enciso
Tenorio is older, slower, shorter and out-muscled. But he's also the league's Iron Man who has been Ginebra's starter for years despite standing just a shade below 5"9. The point guard position is still a thinking man's game, and while Enciso can knock down the occasional three pointer here and there, it's Tenorio and how he is able to set-up the table that will spell the difference in this series. Key here is to attack Tenorio, which isn't exactly Enciso's game (and for some reason, he's been Mark Dickel's guy at the point instead of simply going Castro-Pogoy-Parks or Castro-Reyes).

Adv. Ginebra

SG: Stanley Pringle v Jayson Castro/ Roger Pogoy
Anything Castro can do, Pringle can do it better, with a little more hop step flavor added. Still, Castro remains to be TNT's default go-to-guy when they need to make a basket. He's this team's leader on the court, and where he goes, they usually follow. TNT has the luxury of moving Castro down to 1, and letting the more rugged Pogoy in at 2-3. This is going to be a test for Pringle, who pretty much had this way (when he wanted to) against Meralco's inexperienced and 'nicer' guards. Pogoy? He's not going to budge. Also, there's Kib Montalbo and Ryan Reyes to throw at Pringle just to keep him guessing. How's Jeffrei Chan doing? He'll be a big contributor here if he's healthy enough to play.

Adv. TNT

SF: Scottie Thompson v Ray Ray Parks
Parks was simply AMAZING in the Phoenix series. That was his Jordan v Bad Boys moment. And he passed with flying colors. Now, he'll need to keep an eye on the pesky Thompson. Not because Thompson's a threat to score 30 a game, no, but because Thompson is the all-around guy who keeps the ball moving, rebounds, and basically fills up any gap in both Ginebra offense and defense. Honestly, I'm not so sure Ginebra has anyone on the roster who can keep in step with Parks. Arvin Tolentino's not it. Aljon Mariano has committed to playing the stretch 4 role. If someone can find the fountain of youth for Jarred Dillinger, then maybe they have the guy to put on Parks.

Adv. TNT

PF: Japeth Aguilar v Troy Rosario
Other writers have Aguilar going up against Erram. But in my honest opinion, the better, more logical match-up to stop Aguilar is the quicker, more athletic Rosario. In all honesty, Rosario is still far from filling up Kelly Williams' shoes but he's a workhorse nevertheless. Now we'll see how much Aguilar has improved when matched-up with a guy who is built just like him. After Aguilar, there's Mariano, who I'm picking over Semerad, Carey or any of Rosario's chief back-ups.

Adv. Ginebra

C: Joe DeVance v Poy Erram
You say Prince Caperal, but I say when the chips are down and Coach Tim needs a big-- JDV is still the guy for him. His experience, court vision and all the other intangibles will prove to be the key to Ginebra unlocking TNT's vaunted defense which has effectively shut down Alaska's much improved frontline and Phoenix' gunners.

Adv. Ginebra

X-factor: Joe DeVance (Ginebra), Jay Washington(TNT)

Definitely loving this retro match-up for sure.

Prediction:

My gut says Ginebra, but their inconsistencies in the Meralco game, their lack of perimeter defenders (which is big considering Meralco doesn't really have elite scorers!), well, I'm leaning towards a brilliant defensive outing from TNT. And Ray Ray Parks Jr. as Finals MVP.

@kilikilishot on Twitter

PBA Bubble SF: Ginebra (1) VS Meralco (5)

2020-11-18T01:37:00.003+08:00

"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.

Here's what we all know so far, since Chris Newsome was added to the Bolts' line-up they have managed to almost, always face-off against Barangay Ginebra in either the playoffs or PBA Finals. And if memory serves us correctly, the Bolts have never managed to beat Ginebra in any of those match-ups specially when the latter is at full strength.

So, can the souped-up Bolts finally get over the hump and give coach Norman Black a series win over Tim Cone?

That's a pretty tall order.

Taller than Japeth Aguilar, even.

PG L.A. Tenorio v Baser Amer

Sure, Meralco has added the bruising Nard Pinto as Amer's back-up but even at Tenorio's advanced years there is just no comparing his consistent performance as Ginebra's lead point guard vs Amer's continued on-and-off showing. Some games Amer looks like the Jimmy Alapag protege, knocking down threes off the screen and making clutch plays, others he looks as though he's lost on the court. Tenorio? Whenever he's in, what he lacks in scoring he makes up for in heady plays, swinging the ball and being Japeth Aguilar's set-up guy.

Adv. Ginebra

SG Stanley Pringle v Chris Newsome

Let's just agree that Pringle is arguably the best perimeter player in the game today, so much so that it makes up for whatever (minimal) defensive lapses he commits in game. Crazy efficient, can score when needed, and with the (so far) seemingly un-defendable hop step. Not to say that Newsome is simply going to roll over and die, no. But while Newsome appeared to be headed for bigger things after his rookie year, he's been pretty much average/ okay last season and in the bubble. It's almost like he just woke up one day, and decided to go 50% when he was showing us 80% just the year before.

Adv. Ginebra

SF Scottie Thompson v Bong Quinto

I like Quinto. I like his hustle, efficiency, the same way I've grown to appreciate Rain or Shine young guns Rey Nambatac and Javee Mocon. Nothing fancy, just scoring where needed, rebounding, defending. He'll most likely hold his own versus the stat-stuffing monster known as Thompson. But it's the others-- Jeffrei Chan, Arvin Tolentino, etc. who will prove troublesome for Quinto. Chan's too crafty, Tolentino's aggressive and then there's former Bolt Jared Dillinger who is nicely rounding back to shape.

Adv. Ginebra

PF Aljon Mariano/ Joe DeVance v Reynel Hugnatan

Hugnatan is arguably the best low post player in this series. He's also near 40. Mariano is vastly under-rated as a low and high post operator. Then there's Joe DeVance. All 6"8 of him. Just a terrible, lopsided match-up given Hugnatan's age.

Adv. Ginebra

C Japeth Aguilar v Cliff Hodge/ Raymond Almazan

A few years ago, I'd bet money that Almazan and Hodge could hold their own versus Aguilar. That's not the case in the Bubble, definitely wasn't the case last season. Aguilar now looks more comfortable on the floor, knowing that Tenorio and Thompson will throw him the lob should he make the correct backdoor cut or seal. Watch film. Tenorio almost, always throws it to Aguilar in the box with all that's left for Aguilar to do is to simply lay it in. Almazan's too skinny, Hodge is too unpolished/ undisciplined. They'll give Aguilar some challenges, but not enough to really shut the 6"9 giant down.

Adv. Ginebra

Bench adv.: Ginebra

Jeffrei Chan. Arguably one of the craftiest scorers I've ever seen--not to mention his clutch 3 point shooting. Then there are the two other lefties: DeVance and Dillinger. Then there's Mark Caguioa, who, even at this age, even in limited minutes, knows how to Tito his way to scoring around the rim.

X-factor: Allein Maliksi

Mr. Play Me or Trade Me; the Bolts will need Maliksi's shooting to help open up the Ginebra defense. He's been largely inconsistent, but if he can hit his 3s, Newsome and Amer will get some space to drive and create scoring situations for themselves. But that's a big IF for the seemingly one-dimensional Maliksi (he used to be a competent defender, not sure if its age or injuries that has limited him from being the old Barako Bull rising star we saw years ago).

Prediction: Ginebra

Going to be a tough task for Meralco. Ginebra's playing well, they can score big, they can go grit-and-grind.

PBA Bubble SF: Phoenix (2) VS TNT (3)

2020-11-16T17:59:00.004+08:00

To win, The Beast
needs to be Unleashed
(Photo by: Inquirer Sports)

This one’s got a lot of history
.

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?

Rebounding, but not by a lot to go on. Again, these are just averages based on the stats on PBA.ph. From what we’ve learned in xx years of watching basketball, you basically throw most of this nerd talk out of the window once you are in the playoffs.

Let’s talk match-ups then, shall we?

PG RJ Jazul v Jayson Castro

You already know. What Phoenix needs to do, is to put different guys on Castro just to throw him off (unlikely). If the other Phoenix PGs (Heruela/ Garcia— both Castro backup discards) can help out by scoring some, that might help slow the older Castro down somewhat.

Adv. TNT

SG Matthew Wright v RR Pogoy

Wright has been ballin’ in the bubble. Pogoy’s not that far off, but Wright’s been doing it since day one at a very high and consistent level. He’s been so good in fact, that his own team decided to use him off the bench in their Playoffs match with Magnolia. Which didn’t slow him down at all. Sure, Pogoy’s going to bring it, and score some, but TNT will need him more for his defense in this one. He has the defensive hustle and ‘gulang’ to be physical with Wright and hopefully throw him off his game, but Phoenix will most likely keep going to their established star no matter what. For Phoenix, they need to send a few screens Wright’s way so he doesn’t stand still and become an easy defensive assignment.

Adv. TNT

SF Calvin Abueva v Bobby Ray Parks, Jr.

Oh this one has been years in the making. Unfortunately, while we were treated to the brutal brilliance of Abueva in the PBA straight from his NCAA days, Parks, Jr. went the international route to chase his NBA dream. Now, we get to see the dream match on a bigger stage, with higher stakes (hopefully the start of something bigger). Parks, Jr. is, as we love calling him on Twitter, ‘The Natural.’ Every single move in the basketball textbook— he has the lefty version of it. Abueva, well, he’s the agent of chaos. Skilled, but erratic. His flaws are mostly hidden or lessened by his hustle and heart. These two are fire and ice. Naruto and Sasuke. Natural born enemies (hopefully this stays on the floor). Of the two, Phoenix probably needs Abueva more than TNT needs Parks. Not to say that Parks isn’t important, because he definitely is a vital cog, but given the limited talent on the Phoenix bench, Abueva needs to literally fill up the stat sheet for them to be competitive, while Parks can pick his spots and play off of Castro and Pogoy at times. (Whew! This entry might need a whole separate piece.)

Adv. TNT (but only because, and here’s the kicker that people overlook: Ryan Reyes has no problems locking up Abueva. Check the tapes.)

PF Jason Perkins v Troy Rosario

A hefty lefty (see what I did there) who can post up, shoot 3s, rebound, and box out versus a tall, athletic guy who can rebound and shoot 3s. Rosario’s been in a funk this conference, but mostly because his talent is often negated by his front court partner who basically plays the same style as he does. This is an acid test for Perkins, and imho Phoenix will go only as far as Perkins, the team’s 3rd star, can take them (if it’s just Wright and Abueva, Phoenix isn’t going to win).

Adv. Phoenix

C Justin Chua v Poy Erram

The Clash of the Ateneans. On one side is the much-heralded recruit while the other, is mostly utilized as a back-up. It’s funny how their PBA careers turned out: both semi journeymen who have bounced around here and there. For Erram, everyone talks of how good he is, and how great he could be. For Chua, it’s been a quiet, consistent, rise to the upper echelon of big men with his improved touch, rebounding and shotblocking abilities. For Phoenix, they need to control the boards and make sure Chua doesn’t get in foul trouble (Castro’s going to drive and hunt him for sure). For TNT, it’s all about Erram pulling Chua out of the paint.

Adv. Tied

Bench adv.: TNT

TNT is the deeper team, with Simon Enciso, Ryan Reyes, Jay Washington and a Semerad ready and consistent contributors— they can’t really score much, but those guy play defense like wolves. On the flip side, Phoenix runs a very short rotation which might not favor them vs a fast paced team like TNT.

X-factor: Castro

He’s been playing off the bench, not scoring as much, but that’s simply because there’s not much need to. Not with Pogoy and Parks taking turns carving up defenses. Simply put, of all the matchups on the floor, there’s no one who can stay in front of The Blur. Even if he’s a bit older/ slower now. Slow for Castro is fast for everyone else imho. You'd usually reserve the 'X-factor' for someone coming off the bench and well... hey... Castro's coming off the bench these days.

Prediction: TNT

Too good, too deep, too skilled. I’m rooting for Phoenix in this one, but the TNT Gilas 5 is going to spell the difference.

Your thoughts? Hit us up on @kilikilishot Twitter!