Talk N Text Superstar

One of the exciting part in PBA season opening is the parade of the team along with their muses. During the parade, you will see your favorite players wearing their new uniforms, new design for each team’s jersey, new faces in the other teams, as well as the beautiful and ravishing ladies holding the team’s banner. These ladies represent the team’s good luck charm for the opening of the new season of the PBA.

The likes of Anne Curtis, The Brazilian Girls, Iwa Moto, Ara Mina, Christine Reyes, Diana Meneses, Isabelle Daza and others who never failed to display their beauty and poise in every PBA season opener.

And this Sunday, we will witness again the team’s “good luck charms” when the PBA open its 37th season.

But all of a sudden, a tweet coming from Snow Badua, stating that the Talk N Text will parade the “Superstar” Ms. Nora Aunor as their muse.

Wait a minute!!!

Nora Aunor as TNT’s muse? Well, I’m not a Vilmanian or Sharonian and definitely not a Noranian, but please… this is Philippine Basketball! This is not the proper venue to stage the comeback of Ms. Aunor in showbiz.

They said that it’s MVP’s choice of having the Superstar as their muse, but Mr. MVP, you can guest the Superstar in Willie Revillame’s show anytime of the day for the promotion of her new show in TV5.

Speaking of muse, I would like to congratulate Powerade Tigers for bringing back the glory in selecting their team’s muse, from Pokwang to Vice Ganda and now Ms. Maricar Reyes.

Now I wonder, will Boy Abunda take a leave of absence in “The Buzz” to show support for his idol? Will Kuya Germs be the one hosting the opening ceremonies? Or the Tuesday Group of That’s Entertainment will provide the intermission number?

Welcome Back Ate Guy!

READY TO RUMBLE: BGK VS. ROS PRIMER

This Sunday, the PBA will open its 37th season with a full blast. Armed with 10 teams with very competitive lineups, the hopes are high to get the coveted All Filipino title this conference.

To begin with, Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings will face the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters as the lone season opening game. What are the chances of both teams?

Evaluating the roster

For the BGK, again they will parade their “security agency” leading by Helterbrand, Cortez, Caguioa, Labagala, and Aquino. The rookie Riel Cervantes will be tested this game as their team is in need with inside presence with the departure (or should I say abandonment) of Rudy Hatfield. With Eric Menk is out with injury and Enrico Villanueva is still in the process of healing on his previous injury, Yancy de Ocampo and Billy Mamaril will man the paint. On the defensive side, Ronald Tubid and The Wilsons (John and Willy) will take over.

On the ROS camp, expect their prized rookie Paul Lee will show his skills in this opening game. After defeating the Talk N Text in their pre-season game, expect a revitalized Rain or Shine this conference. With their talented roster: Gabe Norwood, Ronjay Buenafe, TY Tang, the Extra Rice tandem of JR Quinahan and Beau Belga, Jervy Cruz and defensive stoppers Larry Rodriguez and Ronnie Matias, this is a cohesive lineup for coach Yeng Guiao.

Game face

For BGK, this will be the last conference for Jayjay Helterbrand. Mark Caguioa must prove himself this conference to get the coveted MVP title that always been avoiding him through out his entire career (thanks to the media - Caguioa).

For ROS, no one can stop them in their quest for their first championship. Yeng Guiao and his troops showed last season that this team is on a serious mission. Paul Lee is a very strong candidate for the Rookie of the Year.

Prediction

Don’t worry BGK fans if SMC didn’t do anything in order to beef up the team’s front line for they don’t rely too much on their bigs when they anchored their high octane offense. On the defensive side, expect the Wilsons to do their jobs and leave Ronald Tubid’s acting workshop every game. And if he will display his “acting prowess” this Sunday, Yeng Guiao will serve as his “hurado” and will give his “Vice Ganda comments” during the game.

If the game is a close one, BGK will win it.

PBA - RP Team in 2013

It’s been a week after the FIBA-Asia had ended, but the preparation for the next FIBA Asia qualifier is now getting attention on every corner of Philippine basketball world.
We already heard MVP that he will continue supporting the National Team even if it takes forever. We also heard that PBA is open to help the SBP in its quest for another run just to qualify for the next Olympics in 2014.

But yesterday, in the AKTV website, an article posted there that PBA will lend 16 players for the RP National Team for the FIBA championship. In this very moment that the Smart Gilas earned 4th place finish in the recent FIBA in Wuhan, Commissioner Salud is now open to lend his 16 players for the next FIBA qualifier. Why Mr. Salud? After you dumped the request of Toroman to borrow some of your players (except MVP teams) to play for the flag, you are now willing to lend 16 players?

One of the factors (I think) that Salud agreed to have a 16 man pool for the RP team in 2013 is because he wants to prove that PBA players is a lot capable of earning a spot for the 2014 Olympics, that he can surpass what Smart Gilas achieved in the last 3 years.

However, I’m still not in favor of creating an all PBA RP team because of the following reasons: 1. Because of the three conference format in the PBA right now, the training of the players might be affected because of the rigid schedule of the PBA; 2. I think some of our players who might be chosen to represent the country won’t “play their best” because of some injuries they might experience in the long run and their “fat contract” will be at stake; 3. If this will be a all PBA RP Team, what will happen to the system installed by Toroman to the old Gilas team? For sure they will go back to zero again, chemistry and familiarity will suffer and the worst, Toroman won’t be their coach anymore; and lastly, how will the team owners react when their star players will be loaned to the RP Team?

It is ok for the PBA to help the National Team for its bid to qualify for the 2014 Olympics, but an all PBA team is a no-no for this time. We have already seen the improvement of our Gilas core in Wuhan. The only thing that the PBA will do is to “fix” the flaw in the system and not to ruin it.

I believe that the best formula for the 2013 FIBA Asia is: Old Gilas Core + PBA players + Amateur players + Douthit. Simple formula to success.

Thoughts on San Miguel Beermen in ABL

San Miguel Beermen is one of the pillars of Philippine Basketball Association by bringing in 19 championships, represented the Philippine Team in 1994 Asian Games and the longest staying team in the league (or should I say one of the original teams)

With the announcement last July of this year, the SMB team will participate in ASEAN Basketball League. ABL is a professional basketball league where it composes of several Asian teams like Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and even Philippines with Philippine Patriots.
According to Mr. Noli Eala, one of the SMC’s basketball operations director, the team will be handled by the legendary Bobby Parks. Parks, the only seven-time Best Import Awardee in the PBA and one of the assistant coaches of Petron Blaze Boosters (formerly San Miguel Beermen).

While the start of the ABL will be on January of next year (2012), SMB is very busy completing their lineup for the league. According to some sources, Junmar Fajardo, Chris Banchero, Junjun Cabatu, Benedict Fernandez and Marc Andaya (I’m not so sure) will be in the lineup for SMB (with two imports of course, Richard Jeter is the one).

For me, the move by SMC to have a team in ABL is one of marketing strategy. They want (SMC products) be known in the Asian market. Again, the magic of Mr. Eala regarding this move is magnificent. And I’m pretty sure that SMB will be competitive team in ABL.

With their present yet incomplete line-up of SMB, Junmar Fajardo will be the next big thing in Philippine Basketball. Mentored by the famous Don Ramon Fernandez, in a year or two The Kraken Fajardo will be a force to reckon in the professional league (hello PBA 2012 Draft - Petron Blaze Boosters). Chris Banchero is also one of the players eyed by Toroman to join the Smart Gilas, but because of injury, he was unable to represent the country in Wuhan.

These two players will be the corner stone of SMB in ABL. And I’m sure that the winning tradition of SMB will continue in ABL as what they did to PBA.

Goodluck Beermen!

Candidates for the Gilas 2.0 Head Coach

The Smart Gilas project is over (maybe on player’s contract) and the stint of coach Rajko Toroman is still uncertain whether he wants to come back for another quest for FIBA Asian Qualifier this 2013 or accept offers from another national teams (I hope he may not).
There are some names floating around the basketball community to replace the Serbian coach, Chot Reyes of Talk N Text Tropang Texters, Norman Black of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, Jong Uichico of Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings and Yeng Guiao of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters are one of the most sought after coaches that can replace Toroman for the Gilas 2.0.

All the names mentioned above have already experienced handling national team in the recent years. Black handled the 1994 RP National Team which mostly composed of San Miguel Beermen who won the All Filipino title against Coney Island Ice Cream Stars, with amateurs then Marlou Aquino and Kenneth Duremdes, with Alvin Patrimonio, Jerry Codinera and Rey Evangelista, in 1994 earning fourth place. Reyes handled the 2007 RP National Team which composed of PBA All-Stars and some collegiate standouts. He led the team to a 9th place finish in FIBA Asia Championship Cup, third place in William Jones Cup, and a title in the Brunei Cup. Originally handpicked by Ron Jacobs, Uichico handled the 2002 RP National Team after he (Jacobs) suffered a stroke. He guided the team to a fourth place finish after Lee Sang Min’s three point shot ended our hope for a possible silver medal. Guiao handled the 2009 RP National Team with the ultimate goal of competing for the World Basketball Championship in Turkey but failed to live up the expectations.

With an impressive resume regarding the experience in international tournaments, I might say that Chot Reyes is the best candidate for the Gilas 2.0 if Toroman won’t return at all. He is the only Filipino member of the US Basketball Academy. In terms of preparations, dedication and being one of the assistant to Toroman in Wuhan, he is more credible replacement for the Serbian coach. The only hindrance is his stint with the Talk N Text Tropang Texters in the PBA.

My second choice is Yeng Guiao. He may not be the greatest X’s and O’s type of a coach, but his passion cannot be questioned by others. He may be fierce to his players, one of the best characteristics of Guiao as a coach is his “eye for the talent”. I believed that his 2009 RP Team is one of the best line up ever assembled compare to the previous lineups handled by three coaches(and if only Marcus Douthit is naturalized during that time). He is also one of the best in terms of player rotation, which is one of the flaws on Toroman’s system in Wuhan.

Maybe in 2013, Reyes and Guiao will handle the Gilas 2.0. And I don’t think it’s a good idea as far as pride is concern. But who knows?

The Future of our National Team

After the FIBA-Asia where the Smart Gilas National Team finished fourth, a lot of speculations circulating in the Philippine Basketball Community whether if our quest for the Olympics is over, if Coach Rajko Toroman will return for another stint with the team or will the PBA create a new set of delegations for the 2013 FIBA-Asia.

First and foremost, Manny V. Pangilinan stated in his interview that he and the SBP will continue the program whether it will be on 2013, 2015 or it takes forever t qualify for the Olympics. However, the status of Toroman is still uncertain.

The latest buzz is if Toroman won’t be renewing his contract with Gilas and leave the team, either assistants Chot Reyes or Norman Black will handle the team because of their familiarity with Toroman’s system. But the stronger candidate is Black in which he also handles the RP Team in 2011 SEAG.

Also, the PBA expressed their intentions to help by representing the National Team in international tournaments and very willing to cooperate with the SBP to make things happen.

In my point of view, PBA can be a great help for the National Team but they must limit their involvement for it may disrupt the chemistry and familiarity of the former core of Gilas. And if ever they must not replace Toroman. He successfully brought back the Philippines to the basketball map in Asia and the program must continue in the 2013 FIBA qualifier.

Marcus Douthit maybe 33 or 34 years old during the FIBA qualifier, but he can still be a force to reckon, but he must limit himself to some games to avoid serious injuries. And the idea of having Fajardo, Slaughter, Aguilar and Chiu in the team will help Douthit to lessen some scoring loads in his shoulders.

The idea of having a tall point guard must be the focus right now. JV Casio and Jimmy Alapag are great point guard but they are small compare to other PGs in Asia. Having a 6-5 PG in the mold of Gabe Norwood or Ray-Ray Parks is a good improvement for the team.

To sum it up, I’m against on creating an All PBA Team for the 2013 FIBA Asian qualifier. They can add players to the old Smart Gilas core in order to improve their lineup. They must also retain Toroman for the furnishing of the system, but if he won’t be returning for good, Norman Black can take over. Adding a pure shooter on the team will be a great help (James Yap or Dondon Hontiveros).

Team Pilipinas: Moving on to the next level

The FIBA-Asia has ended. China already gained a spot for the London Olympics, while Jordan and Korea will move to the next wild card phase round to face the other teams from Europe and America. The Smart Gilas earned fourth place and it is one of the best finishes made by our National Team for years.

So, what is the next move of the SBP? The best thing is to move on to the next level.
The system of Coach Rajko Toroman is one of the best systems ever applied to a National Team (but still I would prefer the style of Jaworksi when he handled the 1990 RP Team) but as we observed in the recent tournament, the rotation of the players is very predictable for the opposing team. Obviously, Marcus Douthit will be the center of our offense, and other than him, only Jimmy Alapag and Kelly Williams is capable of scoring for the team. Lutz and Lassiter is the main defensive weapon of the team and scoring for the team is their second priority. Asi Taulava is not the Asi we used to see in the past international scene, maybe old age is catching him up. Japeth Aguilar is not a major factor for the team because Rajko won’t allow him to play especially in close games. And one of the major problems for the team is the lack of shooter (opposing teams might be thankful because Allan Caidic is already retired).

Now what will be the next step for the National Team? The next FIBA-Asia is on 2013, and we still have 3 more years to prepare for the next battle. Here are some key points to consider in building up the next National Team:

1. Search for another “Marcus Douthit”

By 2013, Marcus will be 33 years old. He might be slow down by injuries and old age might catch him up. It’s better for us to find a replacement in the age bracket of 23 – 27 years old.

2. Proper training for our “BIGS”

We have Junmar Fajardo, Gian Chiu, Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar as our big men to be inserted in the new NT lineup. Proper training will be a good move for them and we will be able to match the “towers” of other teams.

3. Good selection of players

I admire the inclusion of Lutz and Lassiter in the Gilas team because they provide the intense defensive attacks to the other teams. I hope in the next lineup Lutz and Lassiter might be included again.

Other notable names for the next NT are Kiefer Ravena (much improved version of Chris Tiu), Ray Parks,Calvin Abueva, Aldrech Ramos, Fil-Ams Stanley Pringle (very versatile player), Chris Banchero, Keith Jansen and Stanhardinger (6-8 Fil-German).

in 2013, the hopes are high again and the support for the NT will keep on flowing.

Mabuhay ang Team Pilipinas!