PBA 36th Season Awards - KKS Predictions

Most Valuable Player: Jason Castro/ Talk N Text

As much as I (and most Pinoy basketball fans) love Jimmy Alapag, there's no denying that "The Jet 2011/ The Blur" has improved dramatically from his rookie season on both ends of the floor. Castro, who was masquerading as a point guard for Philippine Christian University and the Singapore Slingers, is now a full-time slasher for Team TNT. There's no one faster than Castro at the two-guard (unless Mark Caguioa finds a young donor for his old knees) and thanks to TNT's loaded roster, defenses can't sag on him as much at they would like. Plus, his steals average is going up fast in the ongoing Governor's Cup which just adds to his statistics.

Runners-up- Jimmy Alapag, Arwind Santos

Most Improved Player: Sol Mercado/ Meralco

The minute Mercado was traded from Rain or Shine to Meralco, people quickly shutdown the Ryan Gregorio coached team since they were pairing the spitfire combo guard with the equally ball-dominating "franchise" Mac Cardona. But then, things started falling into place. Chris Ross' game started to rise, Cardona was injured, and a huge scoring void was suddenly opened. Enter Mercado, who has never taken a look back since (will be interesting how he'll perform once Cardona comes back next season though).

Runners-up: Jason Castro (but he's already MVP!), Danny Seigle (his game came back when he was traded, but not enough to overtake Mercado's "One man show")

Rookie of the Year: John Wilson/ Barangay Ginebra

Somewhere, Rabah Al Husaini's crying to his mama. Not only did he go from franchise cornerstone in Air21 to just another tradeable, solid player with Petron, but he also had to start from scratch and win over San Miguel fans who were none-too-thrilled with the whole set-up (specially when Danny Seigle underwent some sort of revitalization at Air21 ad started posting and shooting over smaller guys like it was 1999). Wilson on the other hand, EARNED his spot not only with the Gin Kings but also in the PBA. It wasn't that long ago when Wilson wasn't even on the rotation, which was reserved for his NCAA MVP rival Jimbo Aquino. But then, Aquino proved to be one-dimensional, while Wilson embraced a newfound defensive philosophy and grit that complemented his outside shooting.

Runner-up: Rabah Al Husaini

Defensive Player of the Year: Arwind Santos/ Petron
You want stats? Okay. This conference, Santos is the leader in rebounds with 14+ a game. DAMN. Blocks? He's up there as well. And, whenever his mind is in it, he is arguably the best stopper with that unique combination of basketball IQ, speed, size and athleticism (we'll check later re: power). An annual bridesmaid for the MVP trophy, Santos earned his spot as the league's best defender.
Runner-up: Marc Pingris, John Wilson. Willy Wilson 

Mythical Five

Jimmy Alapag/ Talk N Text
Without question.

Jason Castro/ Talk N Text

Obvious pick. (won't happen though no thanks to the PBA Media who are made up more of showbiz fans than basketball junkies).

Gary David/ Powerade

Seriously now. This guy needs to win a title. Too good not to.

Arwind Santos/ Petron

Again, a no brainer.

Marc Pingris/ B-Meg

Okay, would you rather have Sonny Thoss' bland post presence, or Pingris' all out hustle, intimidation and swag? Thought so.

Your thoughts?

Talk N Text just four games away from title, Grand Slam

After today's superb 102-90 dismantling of the Barangay Ginebra Kings, head coach Chot Reyes, big boss Manny V. Pangilinan and the rest of the Talk N Text Tropang Texters are moving on to the Governor's Cup Finals.

What's more, they are just four wins away not only from another title, but from being only the third team in the history of the Philippine Basketball Association to clinch the coveted and elusive Grand Slam (San Miguel and Alaska being the others).

There are a lot of factors to consider in TNT's romp, and while they did change imports in the home stretch of the conference (despite a first place record mind you), credit has to go to the locals who are probably playing the best brand of team basketball you can ever dream of. From offense to defense, TNT plays fast and hard on both ends at all time-- a luxury they enjoy thanks to a solid nine to ten man rotation.

While Ginebra and maybe Petron (even after the lopsided Air21 trade) are considered to have the biggest names on paper, TNT has all the tools to stay competitive for the next two to three years barring any injuries or trades.

Jimmy Alapag is still the best point guard in the land no matter how much people try to hype L.A. Tenorio's brilliance (Tenorio is the better floor general, Alapag just the transcendent talent. Think Magsanoc as Tenorio VS Abarrientos as Alapag). Jason Castro has found his niche in the pros not as a high speed point guard but as a scorer (which plays to his strengths since he's not a very good assist man) and Ryan Reyes is, pound for pound, the best defensive 1-2 guard in the PBA (now that Wyne Arboleda is on the decline).

Then you have Ranidel de Ocampo who is arguably the best scoring big man in the league whenever he feels up to the task (maybe a slower, less athletic version of Jun Limpot). I dare you to name a better scorer than de Ocampo who stands 6"7 and you'd probably try to throw Jay Washington's name out there, but his post-up skills are not nearly as polished as RDO's (when RDO feels like posting up anyway).

Complement that with the sharpshooting, high basketball IQ of Larry Fonacier, workhorse-like defense of Aaron Aban (who can also shoot), the combined muscle and grit of Ali Peek and Harvey Carey plus the all-around hustle and athleticism of Kelly Williams and you have yourself a solid rotation that is pretty hard to beat.

Oh, and there's also that small yet huge factor of having a high quality import who can get buckets and help the team.

The style of coaching for Chot Reyes hasn't changed at all in my mind. It brings back memories of when Reyes led Coca Cola (led by Abarrientos, Jeffrey Cariaso and Rudy Hatfield) to the Finals in the early 2000s. That team was a joy to watch (plus, they played Alaska in the Finals--would've been sweeter had Rob Duat not broken Abarrientos' face early in that series).

Can TNT win it all?

YES.

And I'm not even a big TNT fan but there's just no denying that this is indeed their year. Their time.

If this team doesn't win the Governor's Cup, it will still go down as the best group of talented, complementing players ever assembled.

Your thoughts?

Smart Gilas' Fil-foreign wings join PBA draft

Today's biggest basketball news (with football's being the Azkals' loss to the mighty Kuwait team that pretty much showed the difference between a 90+ and a 160+ seed) is the recent application of two of Smart Gilas' more promising perimeter players-- Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz for the PBA Annual Draft.

This comes as a big news since, both players are arguably the most PBA playoff rotation-ready of the Nationals (with Mac Baracael being the third) despite logging in so-so minutes (being forced to play behind "fixed" starter Chris Tiu, or out of position, substituting for each other at the Small Forward position).  Also, it should be noted that there's a high possibility that both players will no longer suit up for Smart Gilas in 2012(depending on which team drafts them-- say, a greedy SMC franchise).

From what we've seen so far, Lassiter's game is a dead ringer for Utah Jazz guard Raja Bell. He is quick on his feet and is an excellent kick-out option from deep. He also slashes to the hoop from time to time, but he makes a living playing defense (I've often argued that Smart Gilas would be a more two-way potent team had they gone with a Casio-Lassiter-Baracael-Aguilar-Douthit starting unit).

Lutz on the other hand, doesn't have the same speed or tenacity as Lassiter but makes up for it with high basketball IQ and a trusty midrange jumpshot. In the PBA, he could be a very solid role player and would fit in disciplined teams such as Alaska or even Rain or Shine. Think Shell-era Tony de la Cruz before Tim Cone showed us all how a player of his talents should be utilized.

Hopefully, more Gilas players apply for the draft so we can see just how good they are playing against the country's best.

In my honest opinion, Andy Barroca needs to apply for the PBA (now that his stock is falling no thanks to the much improved PG play of former gungslinger-ok, he still is- JV Casio) as well as Dylan Ababou (no one remembers you or your UAAP MVP season anymore).

Thoughts on Smart Gilas (89) VS Smart All Stars (98)

Following the disappointing display of basketball ever conducted by a collection of local, professional players, fans started to worry about the chances of Smart Gilas Pilipinas against the visiting Smart All Stars headlined by Kobe Bryant, Derrick Rose, Chris Paul and Kevin Durant.

Granted, the PBA selection, just like the rest of us, were probably seeing the NBAers for the first time and made the most of the opportunity by concentrating more on posing for cameras with their idols, asking for autographs and being all giddy fanboys rather than just playing competitive basketball. To say that they were starstruck would be an understatement, and not one player displayed any fire at all to compete at their highest level.

Again, if I were writing this article in a sports contest against, say, Mr. Jaemark Tordecilla of FireQuinito.com, I'd probably just be watching him rather than writing too. No biggie. Embarassing for PBA players such as James Yap who scored ZERO points, but forgiven nevertheless since little was expected of them.

But then, we are talking about Smart Gilas Pilipinas here- the country's national basketball team who carries the unenviable herculean task of re-establishing our name as one of the best in Asia. This is no time for them to be caught in the hype and hoopla of the Ultimate All Star Weekend, this was their chance to go against the best basketball players in the world in a (public) scrimmage. 

So make the most of it they did.

Mac Barroca, Chris Tiu, Chris Lutz, Japeth Aguilar, Marcus Douthit VS Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and JaVale McGee.

You'd expect murder in the First Q. 

Never happened.

The Smart All Stars were being pushed (literally) and breakaway, highlight reel worthy dunks were all but cancelled out. To give you an idea of just how seriously Smart Gilas was taking this game, they were fouling the NBAers instead of just giving them freebies from all over. FOULING. In an EXHIBITION game.

Nice.

In one play, Asi Taulava checked in and hounded the tattoos off of Kevin Durant, fouling him out to the sideline. This was not taken lightly by Durant who had some words for the burly Fil-Tonggan before heading to the free throw line (SG was in PENALTY, told you they were taking this game seriously). A free throw later, Kobe Bryant comes in and barks something at KD35 (something like "it's okay") and proceeds to pretty much drain buckets from all over.

Unlike in the PBA game, the Gilas point guards didn't bother showing off their handles (only Jimmy Alapag warrants more than 15 seconds with the ball on that team anyway) and relied more on crisp passing and ball movement. There were some sturdy screens here and there, but too much reliance on the three ball (which fortunately, was falling) and no hard drives to the basket (height will always be might in basketball).

Though the quarter scores (28-16, 55-37, 79-60, 98-89) may show otherwise, the game was pretty much competitive and the Gilas players all tried to fight back. Kobe Bryant met better opposition from Dondon Hontiveros in the paint as opposed to Arwind Santos, James Yap or Mark Caguioa, and our own Chris Lutz was getting on some of the NBAers nerves with his in-your-face, Raja Bell-like approach on defense.

If anything, we were finally able to catch a glimpse of Rajko Toroman's dream Smart Gilas line-up with PBA additions Alapag, Hontiveros (who went home with Kobe Bryant's worn-jersey and shoe for his driver), Taulava, Kelly Williams (who could've brought the house down had he made that two handed follow up slam) and Ranidel de Ocampo.

P.S.

LMAO at Derrick Rose racing to get close to our own Manny Pacquiao and shouting "WHO'S GOT A PEN?!"

LMAO too at Chris Paul, brushing off a TV5 cameraman for getting in the way of his brother CJ's camera angle-- again, with Pacquiao.

Smart All Star Saturday’s Main Event: NBA VS PBA All Stars

When news first broke-out that several high profile NBA players were coming over to play at the Araneta Coliseum, Kobe Bryant was still in the middle of his Nike Tour and absolutely non-committal (even quoted as to not receiving any invite or proposal from local organizers yet). So naturally, this news was met with a standard Filipino “WEH” or in American English, “Get the fuck out of here!”

Bryant left to continue his tour, but the “impossible” just wouldn’t die down. Then came an FB message from Mr. Jaemark Tordecilla (the man behind FireQuinito.com who now no longer posts rants on his blog since he is pretty much occupied with his head gig at Akyson TV Sports) that yes, the news was legit. Chot Reyes later posted it on Twitter, and names such as Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant were starting to be thrown around.

Right then and there, everyone was just all giddy. Having those legit NBA All Stars over, just doing interviews, posing for fans and signing autographs would’ve been enough, but to actually see them PLAY as an All Star team? Again, GTFOH!

And we’re not talking about any All Star team, but an actual, “in their primes” core of Team USA. Durant and Rose came from the “B-Team” while Paul and Bryant were from the “Redeem Team.” Wow. Just wow. Add rising stars James “Fear the Beard” Harden, Rookie of the Year awardee Tyreke Evans, promising rookie Derrick Williams and high flying, seven foot specimen JaVale McGee and just about every Filipino basketball fan had their most fulfilling, nerdgasmic wet dream ever.

The Coliseum was packed right from the get go, with the REAL fans at the General Admission and Upper Box B coming in about an hour or two early while the snot-nosed rich kids at the lower seats came in at Filipino time.

Mo Twister and Patricia Bermudez Hizon tried to get the crowd into it, but Mo was being hated on so much by the Araneta throng you’d think he stabbed Kobe Bryant in the ass or something.

Derrick Rose and JaVale McGee came out early for shoot-around, with the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player drawing a massive M-V-P chant. McGee wasn’t left out of all the fun when he started showing some great handles, basic big man moves and before you know it, some early slams that rocked the Coliseum—hey, it’s been a long time since we’ve last seen an athletic seven footer. Closest we have is Japeth Aguilar, and the kid’s shooting threes nowadays than dunking on fools.

After a few minutes, everyone came out (except Kobe “brittle knees” Bryant) and the coliseum was rocking. PBA players and former Ateneo teammates JC Intal and Rabeh Al Hussaini (who drew semi-Mo Twister level boos) had their pictures taken with Rose which drew some cheers/jeers of obvious envy.

Prior to the game, the man who made the whole event possible, Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan of Smart/Meralco/Maynilad/Pacific Water/ etc./etc./etc. fame came out with the Senior George Araneta to officially “open” the newly named “SMART Araneta Coliseum (which is great, because the Big Dome is in dire need of a facelift after all these years—and you  just know that MVP will always deliver) with the help of the NBA and PBA All Stars plus some Binibining Pilipinas beauties (which were being checked out by James Harden—we all saw you! Lol.).

The coliseum atmosphere was crazy, specially when the game was about to start and the opening line-ups were announced. Mark Caguioa, Jason Castro, Sonny Thoss, Arwind Santos and James Yap VERSUS Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, JaVale McGee, Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant.

Oh. Hell. Yeah.

The two teams traded shots, with Arwind Santos carrying the PBA while the NBA All Stars were simply making shots from all over. Our team even enjoyed a brief lead at one point (four I think), before the NBA-ers called a timeout to get stuff sorted out and decided to take the game a little bit more seriously.

Right then and there, the minute you saw Kobe Bryant brushing off a friendly high five from James Yap and Kevin Durant ignoring Arwind Santos, it was over.

To our team’s credit, Arwind Santos was doing his best “I can play in the NBA” performance before coach Chot Reyes sat him down. Jason Castro stripped Chris Paul TWICE.

One on a risky behind-the-back dribble by Paul who probably mistook Castro for a slow-footed Asian, and two, on a CLEAN one-on-one strip job.

Other than those two, no one else showed up.

Mark Caguioa and Sol Mercado tried to engage Rose and Paul in a crossover dribbling exhibition but failed (Paul has the best handles I’ve seen in my life, dude has the ball on a string like a yoyo at all times), Yap couldn’t bury a bucket to save his life, and well, Gary David was the closest thing we have to someone who can hang with the NBA-ers scoring wise, but is just too short.

For the NBA selection:

McGee: dunks galore. Blocked shots like this was an NBA playoff game (not that he’s played in one yet). Nothing came easy for the locals.

Rose: a few highlight drives, maybe three actually. Not his fault, his shot is mad broken (he missed THREE free throws in WARM UP. BRICKED them actually like he had a kink in his shoulder). Can’t blame him for the so-so performance, this isn’t Chicago therefore he couldn’t play his usual one-on-five game.

Bryant: the guy just had some radical surgery/operation done on his ailing knee right? But he brought it. He knew that the fans wanted to see him dunk, and he did. He even gave us a preview of his trademark, “back, back, back, fake left, fake right, pull-up, fade away, swish” shot.

Durant: the man makes shooting threes easy. And yes, he’s 6”9, but he was pulling up from THIRTY THREE feet.

Paul: insane handles. Very articulate on the mic too.

Derek Fisher: he really does shoot like a shot-put-er. Reminiscent of maybe a left-handed Danny Seigle (only his release is faster, Seigle tried to shoot in the game but was blocked the f out)

Derrick Williams: he has the size of an NBA small forward. Hopefully the young rookie will have a great season, he can shoot, pass and defend. Like a slower yet more polished Andre Iguoadala.

James Harden: this exhibition’s MVP. He was scoring, passing, dunking and putting on an insane showcase. If anything, Oklahoma needs to give this guy minutes. Yes, he’ll take the ball away from Durant and Russel Westbrook, but this cat can play.

Tyreke Evans: he looked like he’s a step slower than most of his NBA teammates, but his handles are CRAZY good, even dropping Arwind Santos on his ass in the second half. If he ever finds his groove back, he’s going to be the next big time SG/PG in the West.

Scenes/plays/ match-ups that I enjoyed:

Sol Mercado VS Derrick Rose: Mercado, as much as he wants to say that he is a point guard and his idols are Chris Paul and Deron Williams, is more of a Rose clone—specially now that he’s carrying the scoring load for Meralco.

Arwind Santos VS Kobe Bryant: arguably the Philippines’ best homegrown talent, being backed by the World’s Best—and not giving an inch. Not his fault that KB24 has the illest fade away this side of Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Jordan.

Marc Pingris VS Kobe Bryant: the man tried, and even got on Bryant’s nerves somewhat. But it’s like that scene from Slam Dunk where Rukawa gave Sakuragi an ass whooping during practice. No match.

L.A. Tenorio VS Chris Paul: CP3 played in the post, made a big man spin, and it was over for Tenorio a.k.a. Ronnie Magsanoc II.

JaVale McGee VS the Araneta Coliseum rim: so much anger. So much hate. What a beauty.

All in all, it was a great experience for everyone who was there live and even for folks watching at home (heard that the live feed was having some problems, which made my watching it live even sweeter. Lol.)

THANK YOU MVP! Si Dwyane Wade at LeBron James naman!

Azkals-mania aside, future looks bright for Philippine basketball

While everyone (including myself) has been caught up in the football craze powered by the Azkals (still a fitting name, before it used to stand for "homeless" but "asong kalye" is also a term used for *excuse my French* bastard hybrids), its popularity could and should be credited to a lot of things. One and two, it's a NATIONAL team that has SHOWBIZ-worthy faces and bods. Three, we don't get to see them play very often.

Case in point, I bet you that should a football-counterpart of the PBA be made, that it would drive away bandwagoners and organizers would have problems selling out fields worse than the PBA's gate attendance to a Powerade-Meralco game.

With that, people should stop saying that football is better suited for us Filipinos because it relies on speed and not height-- uhm, did you watch the Azkals-Sri Lanka match? A couple of years ago, that is exactly how our team looked. We looked like Sri Lanka. Our players were even shorter and had smaller bodies than our broad-shouldered, Hindu looking neighbors.

Anyway, I am writing this because someone should go out and say it. The future of Philippine basketball looks bright, if not brighter than ever.

Fans, coaches and scouts have probably outgrown their mini love affair with high leaping athletic wings, and are now concentrating on actual basketball players rather than athletes as spearheaded by the Smart Gilas Pilipinas national team.

In both the now import-flavored NCAA and UAAP tournaments, we have seen a return to high scoring, talented shooting guards and big men (okay, so a 6"3 big man would be pushing it in the pros but at least the post game is still alive despite the Dirk Nowitzki-fever).

FEU's RR Garcia, Adamson's Alex Nuyles, DLSU's LA Revilla, UST's Jeric Fortuna, Jeric Teng Kevin Ferrer, NU's Ray Ray Parks (who is forcing it too much but will probably get it as the season unfolds) and Ateneo's monster rookie Kiefer Ravena.

Of the lot, Ravena, if he learns to play PG, will be a star in the PBA. Alex Nuyles is a shoo-in for any Yeng Guiao team, while LA Revilla has the best handles in the amateurs bar none.

Forgive me for not naming any NCAA player, I haven't cared about that league not since the PCU troika of Gabby Espinas-Jason Castro-Rob Sanz (and later Beau Belga).

Here's a couple of UAAP predictions that I'll throw out there just for fun:

Ateneo will be in the finals and will win their 4th chip.

UST will rival Ateneo for basketball supremacy akin to their 2010 Juniors MVPs.

FEU will be in the Final Four, look dominant, and fail/sell out/be controversial yet again.

DLSU will not win a title unless they go back to shopping for Fil-Am point guards and centers (re: Mike Cortez, Don Allado era).

Willie Miller traded to Air21 for Nino Canaleta, 2012 draft pick

While the trade is still up to PBA Commissioner Chito Salud's approval, two time PBA Most Valuable Player Willie Miller has been traded to the Air21 Express for slam dunk artist/three point shooter Nino Canaleta and a 2012 draft pick.

How this helps both teams will probably be felt beyond this conference, as Air21 is already out of contention and other than their import-woes, Ginebra has already zeroed in on a solid nine-man rotation.

Caneleta will probably steal minutes away from JC Intal, but not from defensive anchor Willy Wilson as Uichico has shown a preference for the DLSU Green Archer rather than Intal in close minutes (plus, someone has to play defense after Cortez, Caguioa, Tubid, Wilson and Helterbrand right?).

The 2012 draft pick, if they're lucky, could turn out to be a Smart Gilas alum-- which will always be a bonus in my book because of the international exposure and training those boys have had.

For Air21, either they are starting to reload to become a relevant force next season, or they are looking to trade their recent stars (Dondon Hontiveros, Danny Seigle and Willie Miller) for younger players-- or, to split it with their sister team (since Air21 was able to buy the Barako Bull franchise a few weeks back).

To be quite honest, I can't name a two-time MVP who has been traded as many times as "The Thriller."

Ginebra locals take charge, wins over B-Meg

In a league that puts a premium on scoring, it should come as no surprise that the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings have won their second straight game despite missing the services of super import Curtis Stinson. Not when you have the luxury of scorers like Mark Caguioa, Ronald Tubid, John Wilson, Eric Menk and even a still-groping-for-form Jayjay Helterbrand at your disposal.

Yesterday’s come-from-behind 89-85 victory over the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados is proof that when motivated, this team can hold its own against some of the better teams in the league regardless with or without an import AND even two time Most Valuable Player awardee Willie Miller.

To their credit, the Llamados came up with a superb game but was just outplayed in the fourth canto. Import Darnell Hinson played like his job was on the line (which was rumored to be the case), while James Yap and PJ Simon chipped in 14 a piece. It should be noted that new addition Joe DeVance started the game waxing hot, taking advantage of his high basketball IQ and feathery touch to dismantle the Kings’ defensive gameplan early on, only to fizzle out as the game progressed (why am I not surprised?).

According to reports, the Kings’ are all set to fly in another D-League veteran to replace the injured Stinson, but I don’t think anyone minds seeing the Kings’ guards take over games (specially those who have been begging Ginebra head coach Jong Uichico to play Helterbrand, Caguioa, Wilson, Tubid, Labagala and even Miller or Aquino—if he ever cracks their rotation).

San Miguel all set to join ASEAN Basketball League

Author's note: my apologies for being unable to post as much as before, Destiny Cable-BTV and work-related drama aside, I'll slowly rebuild this site from the ground up and write about the only sport I've grown to love: Filipino basketball.

The minute Noli Eala was called on by the San Miguel franchise to serve as one of their higher ranking sports development officers, you just knew that he'd make it back to the limelight and steal some thunder from the Philippine Basketball Association-- Asia's oldest play for pay league and the very outfit that kicked him out after a personal issue (so yes Sir Jaemark of FireQuinito.com, while I find your Eala-bashing amusing, I still feel that maybe we could go easy on the guy even if he comes off as a douche).

Contrary to earlier reports, San Miguel will not take over the AirAsia Philippine Patriots' spot on the ABL roster. Rather, it will be the second Filipino-backed franchise which could very well be a teaser to an all-Pinoy ABL finals at some point in the very near future. And as of this writing, would be SMC's 4th basketball team (alongside Petron, Ginebra and BMeg in the PBA). No reports yet if they're going to pull one of the three teams mentioned and send that to the ABL (doubtful really).

What will San Miguel's transfer do (other than make SMC richer by adding to their global brand/image of course)?

- More Filipino basketball players will have jobs either with SMB or as imports for other squads (as seen last conference)
- Make the ABL more competitive in terms of style of play

- Added exposure for Asian players, since SMC is a global brand and the ABL has a solid partnership in place with ESPN Star Sports (which could open the doors for the first Filipino NBA player *hey, if you're going to dream then dream big right?*)

- Put a premium on ABL basketball and could very well take away from the PBA fanbase (specially if Chris Tiu and some of those Smart Gilas boys decide/ realize that there's a real chance of more money and fame in the ABL.)

- Give SMC the edge over Team MVP who has pretty much taken over the role played by SMC in the Filipino community basketball or otherwise for years.

That being said, don't be surprised if MVP follows suit and forms his own ABL franchise.

Overall, this development is good for basketball, the players and the Philippines (why wouldn't it when we'll have a 2/7 or 8 chance to bring home another title?).

What do you think?

Pass (some of) the blame to ‘Spo

Again, while I usually refrain from writing about the wonders of international basketball (choosing to leave it to the so called “expert bloggers/analysts”), I just feel like sharing my two cents worth of insight on the recently concluded NBA Finals which the Dallas Mavericks won over the lethargic Miami Heat, 4-2.


“If we lose games, it’s not because we weren’t prepared,” a quote shared by Miami Heat co-captains Udonis Haslem and Dwyane Wade when asked about head coach Erik Celino Spoelstra earlier this season.

By now, we’ve read all the stories on young Fil-Irish coach Spoelstra or “Coach Spo” and his ascencion to the top of the Miami ranks. A point guard out of Oregon who played a few years in America and Europe before taking a job as a video scout for Pat Riley at the young age of 25, later on becoming an errand boy, Dwyane Wade’s personal shooting coach, assistant coach and pre-Big Three head coach.

To his credit, Spo preached defense. Even before all the chaos and circus brought about by the Heat’s overhauled, superstar roster, Spo was making magic out of the remains of Jermaine O’Neal, Jamario Moon and the gifted yet undisciplined Michael Beasley, taking that team to the playoffs wherein the Heat ranked THIRD in defensive efficiency.

THIRD. This, with a team that relies on J.O. and an undersized Joel Anthony in the paint, and starts a point guard named Carlos Arroyo.

Now that the season’s over and people are picking on LeBron James for disappearing in the last five of the six-game series (and rightfully so), people should consider throwing some of the blame on Erik Spoelstra who may be a bit too raw to handle superstar egos at this point (and may be better off coaching a younger team with lighter expectations).

Lack of offensive creativity
LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh. The “Big Three” have all been in situations before wherein each player simply called for the ball and did whatever they pleased on the court. But the minute they joined forces, each had to take away from their games for the betterment of the team. You wonder why pick-and-rolls were not more openly explored. Wade-Bosh, James-Bosh, and the one that has fans drooling all over, Wade-James (which, in the two or three times we’ve seen it in the Playoffs, was damn near unstoppable).
Put the blame on Spo. He had the tools, he even had the shooters to come in from time to time (House, Miller, Jones and even Bibby), but he just couldn’t make it work.

Inability to make in-game adjustments
In the Finals, Mavs’ coach Rick Carlisle was the first to make the adjustment after being down 2-1 by inserting spitfire guard J.J. Barea into the line-up for “Wade stopper” DeShawn Stevenson. What should’ve been an obvious advantage turned sour when, Wade couldn’t stay in front of Barea while Bibby was busy engaging Jason Kidd in a walkathon. At the times when they did switch, whoever was guarding Barea was either too slow (Bibby) or too undisciplined (Chalmers). Another flaw is when Spo went to Eddie House in the crucial Game 6. Yes he scored, but he also played ZERO defense. A hard foul from Eric Dampier to send a message here and there could’ve helped swing the close series. Hell, maybe even rookie Dexter Pittman could’ve played a role in filling up the gaping hole in the center position everytime Joel Anthony gets in foul trouble.

Riding his horses to the death
In each game, LeBron James played more than 40 minutes. So if the guy says that he simply ran out of gas while also being off-rhythm by deferring to his buddy Wade, then I’d forgive him. Not. Still, had LBJ gotten more rest, maybe the Heat would’ve had more energy in the 4th to maintain their ever so slim leads. I appreciate the loyalty to his stars, but look what it got them.

Too much Bibby
The guy still sets the meanest screens for a point guard, but other than that, he should’ve been pulled out of the starting line-up the minute he missed back to back three pointers.

Failure to rein in players
Hero shots by LeBron that could’ve won them at least two more games/ the title. Second half shut-outs by, well, LeBron again. The bigger coach would’ve sat down his star to make him realize his faults on the floor. Even a young Scott Brooks did it to promising combo guard Russell Westbrook at OKC. Why should LeBron be excused? Because he’s a star? Certainly wasn’t playing like one. The minutes that he spent being on zombie mode on the floor in Games 4 and 5, could’ve gone to Mike Miller or Mario Chalmers.

Hopefully, the Filipino-Irish coach learns from his mistakes and comes back strong next season. 

That, or he could come home to Manila and coach the Smart Gilas squad.

Then I could write to him all day as FireQuinito does Ryan Gregorio.