Kiss the 37th season goodbye.
3 conferences.
3 different champions.
Talk N Text still the reigning back to back Philippine Cup Champions by defeating the Cinderella run of Powerade Tigers. BMEG Llamados toppled the reigning Commissioner's Cup Champion, Talk N Text Texters in the grueling 7 games which Denzel Bowles proved that he is, indeed the Best Import in that conference. And lastly, Rain or Shine finally shine with their first championship against the mighty BMEG Llamados.
Besides the 3 champions mentioned above, the fans witnessed some uncanny moments in that season. We saw the top rated dug-out celebration with Ms. Erika Padilla, whom I think that segment toppled the teleseryes from the two giant networks. I hope AKTV will publish a documentary on Ms. Erika's dug-out celebrations.
So let us see how the 10 teams performed last season by giving them their report card.
Air 21 Express - This team still in the verge of creating a well balance line up. After having a win-less record during the Philippine Cup, they managed to finish the season with 5 wins. With the return of Lito Alvarez, expect this team will go a series of trades in order to get players that they wanted.
Grade: D+
Alaska Aces - Eventhough they have the complete roster that can create havoc in the last season, they were caught empty handed with the sudden loss of their mentor, Tim Cone. Having the best center and point guard in the league, they find hard to bring back the glory that they carry two decades ago.
Grade: C+
Barako Bull - Aside from Don Allado's tweet about game-fixing in the PBA which he quickly apologized for that and caused a hefty fine and one conference suspension, the Manong Brigade proved to the league that they can compete after giving TNT a heart stopping game 7 during the Commissioner's Cup Semi-finals. We saw the resurgence of Danny Seigle in the offensive end, the rising and selling of their two rookies who eventually landed on Barangay Ginebra Kings, and most specially, how about the Oscar winning flop by no other than Mick Penissi that caught the whole basketball world shaking on his break through performance.
Grade: B
Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings - At last, after 12 years, Mark Caguioa won the MVP in this season, aside from winning also a back to back BPC. Other than that, the team failed to enter the finals. A lot of new faces in the BGK camp namely Raymundo, Maierhofer, Maliksi and Ababou, but still their best wasn't good enough.
Grade: B+
BMEG Llamados - their dynasty is written in the four corners of Philippine Basketball. Having two straight Finals appearance, it seems that the Llamados already absorbed the Tim Cone Basketball System. We also witnessed how this team parade two great imports in the person of Bowles and Blakely. Indeed, they are the local version of Shohoku.
Grade: A
Meralco Bolts - the curse of Quarter Finals is still with them, despite of having Sol Mercado, Mark Cardona and Asi Taulava and a bunch of "Marks" in the team, still Ryan Gregorio striving to get pass the Quarters last season (except in the last conference)
Grade: B-
Petron Blaze Booster - Here is a team that is overflowing with talent but it seems that they are only strong in paper. They were also known for their end-game collapses which they can't hardly sustain their huge lead in the three quarters. They even got the 2 of the top 3 performing rookies in this batch, Lutz via draft and Lassiter via trade. Due to injuries and team chemistry, alongside with poor coaching that resulted to poor distribution of playing minutes aside from the questionable tandem of Washington and Santos, they didn't able to defend their crown in the last conference.
Grade: C
Powerade Tigers - This team proved that "Hey, we are still one of the top teams in the PBA". After breaking the hearts of BMEG last Phil. Cup, thanks to the hot hands of Gary David, the consistency of their star rookies Marcio Lassiter and JV Casio, they faced the mighty TNT in the Finals. But when they traded their ace rookie (Lassiter) to Petron, the team suddenly lost their magic and wouldn't be able to duplicate their feat in the Phil. Cup. Added to that, Gary David lost to Mark Caguioa for the season MVP. With their new monicker "Batang Pier", expect this team to bounce back this coming season.
Grade: B-
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters - this team also had their own "Cinderella" story, after a strong showing during the eliminations, they always found themselves eliminated during quarters and semi finals in the last 2 conferences. But they proved that they can play during Finals with most of their players didn't experience playing in the biggest event of the conference. With their super import Cornley, they beat the Llamados in 7 games without their super rookie, Paul Lee.
Grade: A
Talk N Text Texters - Despite of having their best players riding in various injuries, this team managed to grace two Finals appearances and defending their Phil. Cup title, winning their back to back title. No words to express how the players defend their crown and able to win that coveted Grandslam as their parting gift to Chot Reyes, who will be leaving the team to concentrate on the National Team.
Grade: A
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