PBA Season in Review / Team's Report Card

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

Predicting 5 PBA Players to be traded next season

 

Every season there are players who find their way onto the trade block one way or the other.

Sometimes it is because they haven't performed to expectations, or because the value of the player outweighs the production he's bringing to the team.

Last season, Marcio Lassiter, Bitoy Omolon and Dorian Pena were a few of the players who found their way to the trade block. Will those players find themselves on the trade block once again next season, or will it be a new group of players?

Ahead is a list of 5 PBA stars who will be on the trade block this offseason and next season.

5. Noy Baclao (Petron)

The former Top pick in the PBA draft last 2010 is the only player left in the celebrated trade between Petron (formerly SMB) and Air 21 which he and the 2^nd and 3^rd pick of Air 21 went to Petron in exchange of the Danny Seigle and company. Rabeh Al-Husseini and Rey Guevarra already enjoying their minutes in their new home: Powerade Tigers, while Baclao is still figuring out whether he will crack in Coach Agustin’s rotation.

Possible Destination: Air21

4. Joseph Yeo (Petron)

After Petron acquired the super rookie, Marcio Lassiter from Powerade and with the comebacking Dondon Hontiveros and the return of Jojo Duncil, Yeo might be in the trading block this off-season. Coach Franz Pumaren is very keen in getting his former La Salle stalwart but it seems that Petron might want to add something in return to finalize this deal.

Possible Destination: Air21

3. JV Casio (Powerade)

After Marcio left the team, buzzing around the basketball community is JV Casio is next. A lot of team wants Casio in their team because of his playmaking skills and consistent outside-shooting. Many of the PBA fans knew that Powerade is on the verge of bancrupcy and might return to the SMC family.

Possible Destination: Barangay Ginebra

2. Danny Seigle (Barako Bull)

Simple, he wanted to retire in his original team who signed him 13 years ago and won multiple championships with his “tukayo” Danny Ildefonso. After all, Dondon and Dorian already went back home and his All-Star jersey has Petron logo instead of Barako, the fans are hoping DS to retire as a Beerman/Booster some day.

Possible Destination: Petron

 

1. Jay Washington or Arwind Santos (Petron)

These two individuals has to settle the issue whether they can co-exist or not. Jwash already in his basketball form while Santos is on MIA status. With the impending entry of the Kraken Junmar Fajardo, and the scoring duo of Lutz and Lassiter will be experienced once Marcio is fully healed, either of this two players might be traded in the offseason or maybe in the next season. Both players won their chip when the other player is not playing or not existing. Their campaign in this Governor’s Cup will be their final test if Petron will be able to retain the chip or not with these two players playing for the team.

Possible Destination: Barangay Ginebra/BMEG

The Kraken: The Next Big Thing in the PBA

Most PBA fans in some basketball forums already talking about the PBA Draft 2012, where one person than can change the aura of the team whoever draft him next year. I am talking about Junmar “The Kraken” Fajardo.

Fajardo, a 6’ 10” behemoth from Cebu, is one of the possible players that may apply for the PBA Draft next year. He is playing for the University of Cebu in the PCCL and soon to unleash his “beast mode” in January, playing for the San Miguel Beermen in the ABL.

Is he the next big thing in the PBA?

The answer is YES! Why? Aside from his superb basketball resume while playing in different Cebu leagues where he averaged from 30 to 40 points per game, the 37-year old league is very hungry when it comes to “height-given” players. The likes of Don Ramon Fernandez, Abet Guidaben, Venancio Paras, and Jerry Codinera really dominate the PBA during their prime and established some record breaking stats in every statistical category. The league also witnessed the new breed of giants in the likes of Samigue Eman, Yancy de Ocampo and EJ Fiehl, but the only impressive stat in their resume is they are picked not lower as third pick in the draft.

Asi Taulava is still a force to reckon despite of his age, and Japeth Aguilar, the newest giant on the block, is still raw and needs more improvement in terms of basketball experience, this is the best time for Fajardo to grab the opportunity to be the next big star in the PBA.

Fajardo is also being trained and guided by no other than, Ramon Fernandez. No wonder that in his young age (21?), he is equipped with superb basketball skills and good footwork which resembles the El Presidente during his prime. His passing skill is also respectable (credit to Don Ramon again), and his basketball IQ is also not questionable.

One of the few things that Fajardo must work on is his free throw shooting. Most of the PBA centers had low FT percentage, except EJ Fiehl which is more reliable in the free throw line rather inside the paint. Another thing is Fajardo must learn how to be a low post threat. Fernandez and Patrimonio is a very good low post player despite of being undersized in terms of height. If Fajardo will learn the basics of posting and with a little bit of elbow crushing ala Ranidel Ocampo, no one can stop him inside the paint. One last thing, Fajardo needs to bulk up. A Junemar Fajardo with an Eric Menk or Ali Peek or Dorian Pena frame with speed is a very dangerous player especially in international games.

We will see this January if Fajardo will rule the ABL once their season starts.

Another question is: Which team in the PBA has the edge in getting him in the draft next year?

Petron Blaze Booster acquired two first round picks in the 2012 draft, coming from Barako Bull and Shopinas Clickers, the first team to be eliminated in the Philippine Cup.

Now you know the answer.

Revisiting the Forecast

It was the 9th of September when I posted my fearless forecast about the PBA Philippine Cup 2011. And we are now in the verge of finishing the eliminations with two or three games remaining for each team. According to the PBA Office, the start of the playoffs will be on December 14, 2011.

So let me revisit those forecast and evaluate it whether it happened or may not after all.

1. Talk N' Text and Petron Blaze Boosters will again advance to the semi finals and will have their "finals showdown III" to determine which of them is more superior in terms of championship run.

Yes, they are now the top 2 teams in the standings, Petron with 9-3 win-loss card while Talk N Text with 8-3 win-loss card. But Petron still have two games left (BGK and TNT), while Talk N Text will have also two games against Petron and BGK. BMEG Llamados is catching up in the standings, so if BMEG and Petron will continue to sweep their remaining games, Talk N Text might fall in the third spot if they will loss a single game.

2. Coach Tim Cone will return to the PBA. He will formalize a deal to handle the BMEG Llamados in the start of Commissioner's Cup.

Yes, he returned to the PBA too early as predicted. He was appointed as the head coach of BMEG days before the start of the Phil. Cup. He steered the Llamados on a 6 game winning streak as of this moment.

3. Alaska will face a downfall in their campaign in this conference. Coach Joel Banal won't be able to execute the triangle system effectively and might change their strategy in Commissioner's Cup.

They are in the bottom of the standings. Having a 3-9 win-loss card, they might join Shopinas in an early vacation. The team is on a slump after posting 2 consecutive wins. Even though the team is armed with a very balance line-up, but still Joel Banal won’t able to solve the right formula for the Aces this Phil. Cup.

4. Paul Lee will dominate among the 2011 Rookies in statistical points. Coach Yeng Guiao will fully utilize Lee in every games. He might be the face of the Rain or Shine Franchise.

With Chris Lutz being sideline with hamstring injury, JV Casio is still struggling to fit in the Powerade system and even Marcio Lassiter and the rest of Powerade is on the verge of facing early exit in this conference, Paul Lee might dominate the rookie scene this playoffs. Lee is 3rd in the statistical points with 14.92 points, behind Lutz’ 18 ppg and Lassiter’s 15.67 ppg.

5. Cyrus Baguio and Gabe Norwood will be traded to each other.

This trade might happen after the eliminations or before the start of the Commissioner’s Cup. Cyrus Baguio is not the Skyrus anymore after the team lost their head coach, while Gabe Norwood is playing below par of his game recently. We all know that Baguio is the “Yeng Guiao” type of a player and Norwood might be the missing piece that the Aces is looking for after the departure of Joe Devance last season.

6. Willie Miller will lead the league in statistical points.

Gary David’s 21 ppg made him the number one leader in SP’s. Willie Miller, however, is in the 15th spot with 14.55 ppg.

7. Arwind Santos will win the Best Player of the Conference Award.

As of this moment, Arwind Santos is the leading candidate for the BPOC award.

8. Joseph Yeo will be traded to Shopinas Clickers in the middle of the season for future picks.

Joseph Yeo redeemed himself when Chris Lutz was sidelined because of injury. Since the team is winning and Yeo is playing good basketball compared to his performance last season, there is no reason to trade him to Shopinas.

9. Shopinas Clickers will be the first team to be eliminated.

With a 0-12 record, coach Franz Pumaren might take an early vacation to regroup his team and find the best import available for the next conference.

10. The Final Four: Talk N Text vs. Rain or Shine, Petron Blaze Boosters vs. BMEG Llamados

If Rain or Shine will end their slump in their remaining games, the chances are high for this scenario will happen. If not, Meralco Bolts might spoil the party and it will be RSA vs MVP Final Four this conference.

11. Alex Crisano will be cut by Powerade after the elimination round.

Alex Crisano is considered as one of the energetic players in the Powerade camp, second to Mr. Pure Energy, Gary David. Crisano displayed a good behavior this conference, he might continue wearing the Tiger’s jersey this season.

12. Noli Eala and Snow Badua will end their fight, and Snow will greet Noli Eala most of the time in his TV Show.

They must settle their issues. Next…

13. Japeth Aguilar will get injured during the semi-final round because he cannot stand the banging inside the paint.

His team is already been plagued with various injuries. I hope he will be free from any injuries because Ali Peek is still recuperating from an accident.

14. Jason Castro will be the face of Talk N Text.

Yes, indeed he is. He is averaging close to 16 points per game and registered some 20 plus points in some of their games. The lone star of TNT is carrying the team and he is the biggest asset of Chot Reyes.

15. Jayjay Helterbrand will retire after the Philippine Cup.

We will see if this going to happen. However, Jayjay still got the handles and might re-consider his decision and finish the season with another championship.

Sweet November

We are nearing the Playoffs and most of the teams are fighting for their rightful spot in the team standings. The month of November is indeed a very memorable one for us PBA fans. This is the month where all PBA teams exposed their abilities to counter each of the opposing team to have a safe place when the playoffs come.

So let us have a rundown on how November played a vital role for the PBA:

1. Petron Blaze Boosters and BMEG Llamados: “Perfect November”

After suffering consecutive losses, both Blaze Boosters and Llamados posted 6 game winning streaks this month. Petron is on the top of the standings with 9-3 win-loss card, while BMeg is on a solo third with 8-4 card.

After three consecutive losses, Coach Ato and the rest of the Boosters regroup and restarted their engines to continue their high octane offense and suffocating defense to climb all the way to the top of the standings. Arwind Santos continue to play consistently, Alex Cabagnot showed maturity and excellent decision making, Denok Miranda is beasting the other point guards and posted some high numbers during the month. Although the team is not playing Chris Lutz in most of their games this month, Joseph Yeo miraculously “risen” and proved once again that he is still the “Ninja”.

Coach Tim Cone and the Llamados defy all odds in learning the triangle, and their hard work resulted to another 6 game winning streak for the team. James Yap is arguably the best player in the league for this month. He averaged 22 points per game (all in 6 games) and a whopping 85% FT percentage.

2. The slump of Rain or Shine

After posting 7 wins in 8 games, they are on a 4 game losing streak this month. One of the missing links for the team is Gabe Norwood. If you remember an ROS game, Yeng Guiao “benched” Norwood in the last quarter. Well, since Paul Lee is emerging as one of the stars in ROS and Jeff Chan is on a roll, maybe it’s time for Norwood to go. Hmmm Baguio-Norwood trade?

3. Allein Maliksi, SOLD: Barako Bull

As expected, Barako Bull traded Allein Maliksi to Ginebra in a three team deal which also involves BMEG. The Barako Bull received 2013 picks and BGK’s benched star, Jimbo Aquino. So, let us cross our fingers for Dylan Ababou that he will last as a Barako for at least one year.

4. Barangay Ginebra’s Business

After acquiring two gifted players which can be their savior this conference, Allein Maliksi and Rico Maierhofer is now on the injured list. The blockbuster trade made in the mid-November raised some eyebrows of their fans because those two players whom they acquired are considered as “damaged goods”. Both of them had a history of ACL injuries and still not 100 percent to play after they have been acquired.

Mark Caguioa’s comment about their role in the team also ignited the BGK fans especially on the part of their head coaches, Jong and Siot. Mark is questioning the player rotation and the playing time given to them by their coaches.

And lastly, before the month ended, Rudy Hatfield expressed (once again) that he will come back and play for the Gin Kings. Enough of that Rudy! Just leave BGK alone…

5. Talk N Text’s injuries

Not bad for a team that is in the second in the team standings, and yet most of their players are in the injured list. The only bright spot for the team are Jason Castro, Harvey Carey and Kelly Williams. We do pray that TNT will have their complete roster when the playoffs come for Chot Reyes to stop tweeting that they are the underdogs and the reason why they lost every single game is because of injuries.

Bubbling under:

6. Shopinas on a roll (of being eliminated)

7. Alaska Aces facing a worst record this conference.

8. Powerade Tigers will to survive.

Second Round Gems in the Last Decade

In the PBA, finding a diamond in the rough after the first round of draft is a rare occurrence. Most of the value falls within the first 10 choices in most basketball drafts, so adding a valuable player near the end of the draft is something to be proud of in this league.
From the year 2001 to present, I'll list the top PBA players who were drafted in the second till the last team decided to pass on the draft(keep in mind some of these players did not remain with the team that drafted them).
2001 – Peter June Simon (Sta. Lucia 43rd pick)

He earned the moniker “Super Sub” because playing second fiddle to James Yap in the BMEG rotation. During the time when James Yap is out due to injuries, Simon carried the team on his shoulders and heralded as one of the best sixth man in the league today and became the PBA 2007-08 All Star MVP.

2002- Celino Cruz (Talk N Text 19th pick)

Former Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao did not hesitate to sign this man to be his back-up point guard in his team. His clutch three point shot earned him a spot in the Red Bull team and became one of the coveted guards during the 2007-2008 season, where he averaged 8 points per game.

2003- Cyrus Baguio (Red Bull 14th pick) and Ronald Tubid (Shell 16th pick)

Coincidentally, these two players were once teammates in the Barangay Ginebra Kings. Cyrus played supporting role to Willie Miller and Lordy Tugade in his Red Bull days. But when the management decided to trade those players, Yeng Guiao set his eyes to this man to carry his team. “Skyrus” got traded to Burger King (formerly Air21) and traded again to Barangay Ginebra and dealt to Alaska in one of the blockbuster trade in the PBA for 2 time MVP Willie Miller.

Ronald Tubid, from being “The Saint” to being “fearless”, he was drafted by the Shell Turbo Chargers. After the team disbanded, he joined the Air21 Express. Acquired by Ginebra in the 2006 season, he became the third man of the BGK’s Big Three joining JayJay Helterbrand and Mark Caguioa.

2004 – Willy Wilson (Alaska 15th pick)

He was dropped by Tim Cone in the Alaska roster because they already reached the maximum Fil-Am players in the squad (maximum of 5). But he asked Chot Reyes, the coach of San Miguel Beermen then, to pick this player because of his wonderful work ethics. Now, he is considered as one of the top undersized power forward in the league today.

2005 – Larry Fonacier (Red Bull 14th pick)

The Baby Face Assassin was the PBA Rookie of the Year in 2005 while playing for the Red Bull franchise. During the draft, teams didn’t bother to pick him up in the first round despite of his good credentials way back in Ateneo. During an interview with Yeng Guiao, he was surprised when his team will pick a player in the second round, he noticed that Fonacier is still available, that’s why he picked him up. One of the reasons why he was not picked in the first round, he suffered an ACL injury while playing for the Ateneo, which his “stock” dropped during the draft.

2006 – Chris Pacana (Coke 15th pick)

Reason: No any other player noticeable in that round. But he was once a good player during his time with Coke.

2007 – Ronjay Buenafe (Sta. Lucia 11th pick)

He is considered a “steal in the draft” because of his uncanny plays and gravity-defying acts during his stint with Coke, earning him a spot in the All Rookie Team. He is one of the trusted player of Yeng Guiao in Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

2008 - Jeff Chan (Red Bull 17th pick)

To some PBA fans, he is the second coming of Allan Caidic because of his three point percentage. He is now the leading scorer of Rain or Shine and the early candidate for Most Improve Player.

2009 – Josh Urbiztondo (Undrafted)

Because of the need of a back-up point guard, Sta. Lucia signed Urbiztondo as an undrafted free agent. He became one of the popular rookies in his class, where he was named as best player of the game in some games for Sta. Lucia. He is now playing for BMEG and one of the “orchestrator” of the triangle system.

2010 – Robert Labagala (Ginebra 12th pick)

It was so suprising that Labagala earned a spot in the BGK roster despite of the “surplus” of guards on the team. Because of the injuries of Helterbrand and Cortez, Jong Uichico placed him to the starting line up. He was the second coming of Bal David, because of his speed and shooting accuracy.

2011 – Magi Sison (Shopinas 11th pick)
It’s too early to say that Shopinas.com found a gem in the second round, but if this young center from UP will elevate his game to a higher level; we might see another “Danny Ildefonso” in the making.

Let’s play “Thoss-Coin”

Alaska Aces is on the verge of getting an early elimination in the Philippine Cup 2011 this 37th season of the PBA. Having a win-loss card of 1 – 7, the second most number of championships (with 13 among the active PBA teams right now) is having trouble in their system even in the start of their campaign.

Last off-season, Tim Cone expressed his sentiments on leaving his team because of some personal matters and team owner, Fred Uytengsu gave Cone the signal to leave and quickly appointed Assistant Coach Joel Banal to take over the team.

Adding insult to injury, after a week or two, we saw some photos of Tim Cone handling the drills of the BMEG Llamados and before the season opening of the PBA, the management made an announcement that Tim Cone is the BMEG’s new head coach.

Without their “original” mentor, the Aces find it too difficult to climb up to the top of the standings. I think this is the worst record of this team since Tim Cone handled the team for almost two decades.

The latest buzz about the team is that Mr. WSU called an emergency meeting to discuss about the team’s performance after eight games. One of the agenda on this meeting is to convince one of their franchise players to stay with the team and according to some insiders, that player is “The Boss” Sonny Thoss.

Thoss, is one of the backbone of the Aces since drafting him 5th overall by the Alaska Aces in 2004. One of the pillars of the triangle offense in the team, he is one of the coveted players of every team in the PBA. In the Philippine Cup 2011, he is averaging 16 points and 8 caroms per game, and one of the consistent players in the Aces’ roster.

With trade issues evolving in the Philippine Basketball Community, Barangay Ginebra would like to add Thoss in their lineup. Also, Thoss’ former mentor, Tim Cone, expressed that he also want him to be in the team but there are no discussions or talks made by him and Thoss as of this moment.

Game Face

According to Snow Badua’s tweet, Plan B is on the review phase.
Before the trade between the triple B’s (BGK – BBE – BMEG) was approved, another trade is in the making which involves BGK, Petron and Alaska. There are several names floating and it includes Sonny Thoss.

So, which is the best destination for The Boss if ever the trade will push through?

For Barangay Ginebra, this is the upgrade that they are looking for. It’s been a long time since the Kings have a decent Center after Eric Menk. They already have Rico Maierhofer, and adding Thoss will make the front court of the Gin Kings more deadly.

I don’t see Petron joining the tug of war in order to get Thoss. Ato Agustin is set to acquire his beloved player any time this season.

The only hindrance for this trade to push through is the willingness of Mr. Uytengsu to transact with SMC. After the “Tim Cone Piracy”, maybe WSU will think twice in dealing his player to SMC and might go to MVP to seek some “offers”.