The high octane efficiency of Petron Blaze Boosters

Despite of all the issues regarding oil price hike, oil deregulation law, E-VAT on oil, Petron Blaze Boosters’ fans will separate this for the sake of basketball because there’s a reason to celebrate.

Why? Because, the Governor’s Cup Champions last season is scorching hot this 37th season of the PBA Philippine Cup. They are on the top of the standings with a commanding 2-0 won-loss card.
We all know it’s too early to celebrate because the PBA had just opened the season less than one week last October 2 only.

Coach Ato Agustin did a wonderful job last off-season by providing the “missing pieces” in the team with the likes of Chris Lutz, Dondon Hontiveros and Carlos Sharma.

Arwind Santos, when he is activated to “beast mode”, no one can stop him from delivering. In 2 games, he averaged 15 points and 16.5 rebounds per game. Alex Cabagnot, Petron’s court general, is averaging 19 points and 3.5 assists per game. Danny Ildefonso, who went double-double last game against Barako Bull, might be drinking from the “fountain of youth” and showing no signs of aging. The rookie sensation Chris Lutz, averaged 18 points in two games, with 6 steals against the Barako Bull.

Denok Miranda is also showing his FEU form this conference, playing with Cabagnot, they formed a deadly back-court tandem which dictates the fluidity of their offense as well as in their defense. Agustin discovered the duo of Cabagnot-Miranda during the Petron-Talk N Text showdown last season, and it is working well in the team’s system. Carlos Sharma is another revelation in this conference which is now armed with soft touch from the midrange.

Sophomores Noy Baclao and Rey Guevarra, with less playing minutes, always deliver whenever they are in the court. I hope that Agustin will give them more playing time in order for them to build their self-confidence.

Game Face

With Dondon Hontiveros is out for 7 to 10 days because of his calf injury, Chris Lutz is enjoying more playing time (38 minutes in 2 games) in his absence. Also, Danny Ildefonso is averaging 33 minutes per game in 2 games. I hope Agustin give Lakay more minutes in the bench for him to fully recover his injury. He is needed more comes semis and Petron cannot afford to lose Lakay in that series, remember how he is valuable during the Governor’s Cup Championship when Jay Washington and Rabeh Al-Husseini is down with injuries.

Cabagnot’s maturity and decision-making seems to improve this conference. He is showing his play making skills during the game, taking shots at the right place at the right time and his composure in every opponent’s attempt to make a run and cut their lead.

Rob Reyes is set to play for the Boosters in their next game against Shopinas.Com Clickers, this will give the team additional muscle inside the paint. The 6’ 5” Reyes will give Lakay a breath of fresh air and to avoid injuries.

In their two games, we witnessed the chemistry and composure of Petron Blaze Boosters as well as the players’ motivation and hunger for championship. It’s too early to tell, but I can smell a “Talk N Text – Petron Blaze Booster III” this finals, and maybe this time, they will settle their unfinished business with an identical record of 1-1 for both teams.

Top 5 Greatest Number 1 Draft Pick in the PBA

The PBA Annual Draft is one of the most exciting event in which all teams can acquire new talents from collegiate division and amateur leagues. The draft started on 1985 where the two time PABL MVP, Santiago “Sonny” Cabatu, is the top pick which is selected bt Shell.

The 1989 PBA Draft is considered as one of the richest draft pool in the PBA history, while the 2000 PBA Draft is the weakest pool ever.

Now, here is my top 5 number 1 picks in the PBA.

TOP 5:  MARLOU AQUINO

Known as ‘The Skyscraper”, he is best remembered playing under Sonny Jaworski’s Ginebra Gin Kings/Gordon Gin Boars. He was picked first overall in the 1996 draft.

In the amateur league, he was a fout-time MVP, playing for the Stag Pale Pilsen in the PBL. He was also the first Gin King since Dondon Ampalayo, to win the ROY award. Famous for his “Kili-Kili (Armpit)” or “Jolen (marble)” shot. He averaged 18.7 PPG and 9.3 RPG during his rookie year. He led the team to 1997 Commissioner’s Cup Championship against Alaska Milkmen, bannered by their import, Chris King.

But after traded to Sta. Lucia in 2000 and in 2008 by Barako Bull, Aquino showed “downfall” on his game.

TOP 4: WILLIE MILLER

Drafted in 2001 by the Red Bull team, he also played two seasons for the defunct MBA under the Nueva Ecija Patriots.

In 2002, after his rookie season, Miller won the 2002 PBA MVP, in which he is considered as the only MVP with a scoring average below 10 per game. There are some critics that Miller won the MVP because the top players in the league is very busy with the National Team training pool.

In 2004, he was traded to Talk N Text Phonepals and in 2006, he was traded again, this time to Alaska Aces. While playing for the Aces, he bagged his second MVP in 2007 and led the Aces to 2007 Fiesta Cup Championship. He is also the Finals MVP. In 2010, he was traded to Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. And in 2011, he was traded back to Barako Bull (formerly Air 21)

TOP 3: DANNY ILDEFONSO

In 1998, he was picked by Shell in the draft, but traded to San Miguel Beermen, in exchange of the sweet shooting Noy Castillo.

A back-to-back MVP in 2000 and 2001, he led the Beermen to numerous championships from 2000 up to the present season. He also won five straight Best Player of the Conference between 2000 and 2001 season.

During the Governor’s Cup finals against the grand slam seeking, Talk N Text, he made a buzzer beater shot against Ali Peek to win Game 1 of the series.

TOP 2: ALLAN CAIDIC

The “Triggerman”, was selected by Great Taste in the 1987 PBA Draft. A very well-known player prior to the draft, the streak shooting Caidic is also a member of the NCC, the team created by Ron Jacobs for international competition.

He won the 1990 MVP and was selected by Jaworski to play for the 1990 RP team in the Asian Games. During the tourney, he and Samboy Lim were selected to Mythical First Team in the Asian Games.

He is best remembered by setting a record for point scored in one game 79 points against Ginebra San Miguel.

TOP 1: BENJIE PARAS

The “Tower of Power”, was the first pick overall by Shell during the 1989 PBA Draft. He was also the first and only (as of this time) winner of the ROY and MVP at the same time. He guided his team to numerous championships during the 1990’s. He even repeat the feat after 10 years of playing in the league, to win the PBA MVP again in 1999.

During his second MVP run, the league was “invaded” by Fil-Ams like Sonny Alvarado, Danny Seigle, Asi Taulava, Eric Menk and others, but he was not intimidated and powered his team to the 1999 All Filipino Cup Championship against the league-returning power house team, Tanduay Rhum Masters.